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Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 12 December 2025



Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 12 December 2025. It includes information on: 



Pharmac funding both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patchesFrom 1 December 2025, the funded brands of oestradiol patches will be Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot. Everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to use either of these brands.


Pharmac have created an on-line portal where GP practices can order (free of charge) oestradiol flyers to help with informing patients about this change. 


These can be ordered via the Bluestar order form for A5 patient fliers (external link). The flyer can be also seen on our website oestradiol flyer [PDF, 508 KB].


Oestradiol patches efficacy concernsWhat is happening:Medsafe is currently investigating the concerns raised about the efficacy and adhesion of some batches of Estradot patches.



What we’ve told consumers


We have sent communications to consumer groups advising to report concerns to Medsafe - Report a problem, and to see their prescriber if they have any related health concerns.


Discontinuation: amiloride hydrochloride 5 mg with furosemide 40 mg (Frumil tabs) 


Sanofi the supplier is discontinuing Frumil tablets. This is a global discontinuation due to low usage. Please consider prescribing a funded, Medsafe registered alternative for affected patients. Amiloride 5mg tablets are not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29 of the Medicines Act.  It is estimated Frumil tablets stock will be depleted by the end of February 2026.


Reminder discontinuation: clomipramine 10mg capsulesThe delist date (no longer funded date) is 1 April 2026 for clomipramine 10mg capsules. Please continue to consider alternative options for patients that require the lower 10mg dose. Clomipramine 25mg presentations will remain available and listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.


Brand change and delisting: celecoxib cap 100 mg and 200 mgCelecoxib cap 100 mg (Celecoxib Pfizer), will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule on 1 February 2026. Aspen’s brand of celecoxib cap 100 mg (Celebrex) will continue to be listed.


The Celostea brand of celecoxib 200 mg will be listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2026. Celecoxib cap 200 mg (Celecoxib Pfizer), will be delisted on 1 July 2026.


Brand change: compound electrolytes with glucose [dextrose] solution with electrolytes


Compound electrolytes with glucose [dextrose] solution is changing brand from Hydralyte 500ml - to Pedialyte 500ml. From 1 February 2026, Pedialyte will be listed in the Community and Hospital Schedules. Hydralyte will be delisted on 1 July 2026.


Brand change: dimethicone 5% cream


From 1 January 2026, Hydralock dimethicone crm 5% 460 g pump bottle will be listed (funded) in the Community and Hospital Schedules. HealthE Dimethicone crm 5% pump bottle will be delisted on 1 June 2026.


Proposal to continue funding the storage and distribution services for national and regional funded vaccines


Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to continue funding the storage and distribution services for national and regional funded vaccines through new provisional agreements with the following suppliers:


  • DHL Supply Chain (New Zealand) Limited (“DHL”) – for the supply of various national vaccine storage and distribution services

  • Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Limited trading as ProPharma (“ProPharma”) – for the supply of various regional vaccine storage and distribution service



We welcome your feedback. Consultation is open until 1pm, Monday 22 December 2025. Please send your feedback to procurement@pharmac.govt.nz


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.


  • Atenolol (Atenolol-AFT) Oral liq 25 mg per 5 ml (AFT)

  • Benzatropine mesylate (Benztrop) Tab 2 mg (AFT)


Testosterone cipionate (Depo-Testosterone) Inj 100 mg per ml, 10 ml vial (Pfizer)












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