Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 1 May 2026
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 1 May 2026. It includes information on:
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) will be listed (funded) and available 1 May 2026
These tablets are for paediatric use, both brands are chewable, cherry flavour.
Montelukast tab 5mg (Relonchem) is a pink coloured, circular, tablet.
Montelukast tab 5mg (Viatris) is a white to off-white coloured, round tablet
This is not a Medsafe approved medicine and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: olanzapine orodispersible (Zypine ODT) 10mg and 5mg tablets
Due to an unexpected issue at the manufacturing site, there is currently a supply issue affecting olanzapine orodispersible (Zypine ODT) 10 mg tab and 5 mg tab.
To ensure people can continue their treatment without interruption, alternative products are being funded from 1 May 2026. The alternative products are not Medsafe approved and are therefore subject to legislative requirements of Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981.
Further information, including details of Section 29 alternatives, is available on our webpage. Further information will be added to our website - Olanzapine (Zypine ODT) 5 and 10 mg orodispersible tablets: Supply issue
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 is out of stock of the Estradot brand 75 mcg patch due to a delayed shipment. While the supplier is out of stock, there may still be stock in the supply chain. The 25, 50, 100 mcg strengths are not currently affected.
All strengths of the TDP Mylan brand are available.
Discontinuation: Duolin nebuliser soln, salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule
New listing: Combiprasal nebuliser soln, salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule
Duolin nebuliser soln has been discontinued. The alternate Cipla brand has an expiry date of 30 June 2026. A second alternate, Combiprasal brand will be funded from 1 May 2026.
Combiprasal active ingredients and strength remain the same as Duolin.
Combiprasal brand is not a Medsafe approved product and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Section 29A of the Act requires the patient to be known at the time of supply. On this basis, supply on a Practitioner’s Supply Order is not possible. However, there are exceptional circumstances for some emergency medicines, when holding an emergency supply in stock may be essential for patient safety. Medsafe website PSO information.
A webpage with a downloadable patient leaflet is available to help reassure patients about this brand change Duolin nebules on Pharmac website
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.
Loratadine (Haylor syrup) Oral liq 1 mg per
Nystatin (Nilstat) Oral drops 24ml
Pregabalin (Lyrica) Cap 300
Sodium cromoglicate (Ralicrom) Cap 100
