Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 05 June 2026
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 05 June 2026. It includes information on:
Supply disruption: Colestyramine Powder for Oral Suspension (Sachet)
There is a supply disruption affecting the currently listed colestyramine oral sachets, Colestyramine – Mylan S29.
From 1 June, Pharmac listed (funded) an alternative Section 29 product: Questran Light (neon).
Questran Light is not Medsafe‑approved and must be prescribed in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicines Act. As no Medsafe approved product is currently listed on the Schedule, Section 29A of the Medicines Act does not apply.
Between now and the end of July 2026 there will be limited stock of the Colestyramine – Mylan brand. Note the Questran Light (neon) brand does have some differences with excipients (it contains aspartame.)
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Colestyramine (Powder) 4 g sachet: Supply issue
Supply Constraint – TruSteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets due to issues at a component supplier. This disruption is not specific to New Zealand and is likely to continue for the rest of 2026. It affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Pharmac also funds the Autosoft infusion sets, these are compatible with the Tandem pumps and are not impacted by this supply issue.
Please consider switching patients where clinically appropriate to an alternate Autosoft infusion set. Please note the application for these products is different to the TruSteel products and will require training on correct application technique.
From 1 June, to help manage the limited supply of TruSteel infusion sets, we’ve temporarily changed the Schedule listings to monthly dispensing. This means if patients remain on a TruSteel product, they will now collect only one month’s supply at a time from their pharmacy.
The supplier, NZMS, has published guidance and support materials to assist patients transitioning to Autosoft infusion sets. Further information is available on their website - Transitioning from TruSteel to AutoSoft Infusion set
Reminder of insulin discontinuations:
Eli Lilly are discontinuing 3 insulins in the 10ml vial presentation. The 3ml penfill presentations remain available. Please transition patients to a suitable alternative.
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops selling to wholesalers |
Insulin lispro | Humalog | Inj 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | End June 2026 |
Insulin isophane | Humulin NPH | Inj human 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | End June 2026 |
Insulin isophane with insulin neutral | Humulin 30/70 | Inj human with neutral insulin 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | End June 2026 |
NovoNordisk are also rationalising their product range and discontinuing three insulins from the 3ml penfill range. Penmix 30 3ml penfill was depleted April 2026.
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops selling to wholesalers |
Insulin aspart with insulin aspart protamine | NovoMix30 | FlexPen 3 ml prefilled disposable pen | End of 2026 |
Insulin neutral | Actrapid | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
Insulin isophane | Protaphane | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
There is information regarding use of insulin and changes in the supply of various insulins. NZSSD PDF -external link
Further information is available on our website:
Insulin discontinuations on Pharmac website This will continue to be updated
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.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride with adrenaline (Marcain Adren) Inj 5 mg per ml with adrenaline 1:200,000, 20 ml vial
Pazopanib (Teva) Tab 200 mg
Teriparatide (Teva) Inj 250 mcg per ml, 2.4 ml (Teva)
Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort A - 40) Inj 40 mg per ml, 1 ml amp
