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Pharmac : Update for Primary Care Prescribers

  • 2 hours ago
  • 3 min read


Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 8 May 2026. It includes information on: 



Supply issue: dexamfetamine 5mg tablets


There is a supply issue affecting the Noumed brand of dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets. The supplier has advised that stock will be unavailable from April to June 2026.

 

The Aspen brand of dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets is available. The excipients in the Aspen brand of dexamfetamine contain gluten which may cause issues for patients that are coeliac or have an intolerance to gluten products.


We ask that prescribers please consider alternative treatments for patients with coeliac disease if the pharmacy does not have stock of the Noumed brand.


More information is available on the Pharmac website.


Supply issue: Oestradiol (Estradot) 75 mcg patch


Sandoz, the supplier was unable to supply Estradot 75 mcg patch due to a delayed shipment. This has now arrived in the country; it may take one to two weeks for pharmacies to receive stock depending on their location.

 

All strengths of the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand are available. 


Supply issue: Montelukast tab 5mg (Viatris)


Viatris notified Pharmac that due to a delay with manufacturing Montelukast tab 5mg is in short supply.A new brand Montelukast tab 5mg (Relonchem) was listed (funded) and available 1 May 2026


  • Note there is change in tablet colour.

  • This is not a Medsafe approved medicine and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.


New funding: Two treatment combinations and widened access to ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) 


  • From 1 May 2026, the following changes were implemented:

  • Venetoclax tablets (Venclexta) in combination with ibrutinib tablets (Imbruvica) - Funded as a first line treatment option

  • Venetoclax tablets (Venclexta) in combination with Obinutuzumab infusion (Gazyva) - Funded as a first line treatment option

  • Ibrutinib tablets (Imbruvica) – Widened access, can be used on its own as a second line treatment for people with CLL regardless of their specific cancer mutation. It can be used if the patient has not responded to a previous treatment, the cancer has come back, or where earlier treatment caused intolerable side effects.

  • Venetoclax, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab are already used to treat blood cancers, but these combinations have not previously been funded together for CLL.


This decision helps reduce the demand on hospital-based infusions as Venetoclax (Venclexta) and ibrutinib (Imbruvica) are tablets for oral treatment.


Changes have been made to the wording of the Special Authority criteria to improve clarity for clinicians. We have also removed the proposed renewal criteria and set the initial approval period to match the fixed-duration treatments.


The access criteria has been changed so that people who have been self‑funding venetoclax or ibrutinib can switch to the funded combination treatment, where it is clinically appropriate. This switch to combination treatment will need to be made within six months of the funding date (before 1 November 2026).


The access to ibrutinib has been widened to be used as a second line treatment for people with CLL who relapse or are intolerant to first line treatment. The funding criteria for rituximab has been amended to ensure people can still access rituximab in combination with venetoclax as a second line treatment option.



Resolved supply issues:


Supply issues are marked as resolved when stock arrives in the country and is released to wholesalers. After this, it can take another 1-2 weeks for pharmacies to receive stock, depending on where they are located around New Zealand.


  • Isosorbide mononitrate (ISMO) Tab long-acting 40

  • Melatonin (Vigisom) Tab modified-release 2 mg

  • Thiopeta tepadina (Tepadina) 100 mg vial




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