Pharmac - Update for Primary Care Prescribers
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Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 28 August 2026
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 28 August 2026. It includes information on:
Discontinuations
Discontinuation: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
The supplier of the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device has notified Pharmac that they will cease supplying it to New Zealand from 1 December 2026. While stock may remain available within the supply chain for a period after this date, Pharmac intends to delist (no longer fund) Dexcom G6 from early 2027.
People currently using funded Dexcom G6 CGMs will need to transition to an alternative funded CGM that is compatible with their insulin pump, either Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus. We encourage affected people to transition to an alternative funded CGM as soon as possible, ahead of 1 December 2026.
Information and support resources are available to help people transition:
Dexcom G7: Upgrade to Dexcom G7|NZMS Dexcom
Freestyle Libre 3 Plus: Welcome to the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor|Mediray.
Further details about this discontinuation are available on our webpage: Dexcom G6 CGM being retired
Discontinuation: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tablets
The supplier Sanofi has notified Pharmac of the discontinuation of sodium valproate (Epilim brand) 100mg crushable tablets. This is a global discontinuation. Sanofi expects that stock will be available until the end of November 2026. Please transition affected patients to an alternative treatment as soon as possible.
Epilim Sugar-Free Liquid 200mg/5ml and Epilim Syrup 200mg/5ml are available and may provide a suitable alternative for some patients.
For more information see Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
New updates
Supply issue: Olanzapine tablets (all strengths)
Due to an issue at the manufacturing site, there is a supply issue affecting all strengths of Zypine branded olanzapine tablets, 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg tablets.
To ensure continuity of supply, from 1 September 2026, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate brand APO-Olanzapine. The alternate brand, APO-Olanzapine is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Zypine branded olanzapine is expected to become unavailable from early October 2026. It is expected to be available again late 2026.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available Olanzapine tablets on Pharmac website
Supply Issue Reminder: Trusteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets (used with the Tandem insulin pumps) due to manufacturing issues. This disruption is likely to continue for the remainder of 2026 and affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Uptake of Autosoft infusion sets remains low despite previous communications encouraging suitable patients to transition. As a result, demand on limited TruSteel stock remains high.
There will not be enough TruSteel stock available to support current demand if current usage patterns continue. To make sure there is enough supply for people who cannot transition to an alternate Autosoft product, it is important that patients who can safely and appropriately use an Autosoft infusion set are transitioned as soon as possible.
NZSSD have advised that most people currently using TruSteel infusion sets will likely be able to switch to Autosoft infusion sets. Autosoft infusion sets are funded by Pharmac and are compatible with Tandem pumps. NZSSD have provided clinical advice identifying patient groups who they recommended should be prioritised for the limited TruSteel stock.
A new prescription will be required for patients to transition to an Autosoft infusion set.
Autosoft infusion sets have different insertion and priming requirements from TruSteel products. Patients will need training to learn how to use them correctly. The supplier has information and resources on their website.
Ongoing supply issue: oestradiol 100mcg patch (Estradot brand)
Oestradiol 100mcg patches (Estradot brand) are currently out of stock. We expect Estradot 100 mcg to be available again by September.
The Estradot 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg strengths are not currently affected. All strengths of the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand are available.
Pharmac also funds other oestradiol treatments including gel (Estrogel) and tablets (Estrofem, Progynova), which are not affected by the supply issue and may be suitable for some people.
For further details, refer to the Pharmac supply notices
Coversyl tablets change of salt: Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine Due to global alignment and to ensure continuity of supply, Coversyl containing perindopril erbumine will be replaced with Coversyl containing perindopril arginine.
The new Perindopril arginine tablets will be listed (funded) from 1 September 2026
Please transition your patients currently on Coversyl 2 mg and 8 mg tablets to the equivalent perindopril arginine (Coversyl 2.5 mg and 10 mg respectively) from 1 September.
Coversyl 4 mg tablets will remain available longer. Please transition these patients to the equivalent Coversyl 5mg tablets from October.
Pharmacist substitution between erbumine and arginine strengths is not possible due to different labelled strengths.
Perindopril erbumine and perindopril arginine salts are bioequivalent and interchangeable. The active moiety (perindopril) remains unchanged.
Because the two salts have different molecular weights, the labelled tablet strengths will change, while delivering the same amount of active perindopril.
More information, images, and a downloadable patient information leaflet can be found Coversyl on Pharmac website
Dose equivalence table
Current product (perindopril erbumine) | To | New product (perindopril arginine) |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 2 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 2.5 mg |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 4 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 5 mg |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 8 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 10 mg |
Notification: Decision on new supply agreements for funded vaccines in the National Immunisation Schedule, and widened access to influenza vaccine
Pharmac is changing the funded brands of influenza, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines from 2027. Access to funded influenza vaccination will widen to include all children aged 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive) from 1 April 2027.
Pharmac has also widened access to a vaccine to help prevent people who have already had a serious pneumococcal infection from getting it again.These decisions follow consultation on a proposal arising from the 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of funded vaccines, excluding the COVID-19 vaccine. This procurement process helps us secure ongoing supply and value for money for funded vaccines.We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback during consultation. We carefully considered all feedback received before making these decisions.More information about the decision, including details of the brand changes and funded access criteria, is available on our website:
The changes to influenza vaccines will take effect from 1 April 2027, ahead of the 2027 influenza season. Changes to meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines will take effect from 1 July 2027. 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.
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