Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 12 June 2026
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Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 12 June 2026. It includes information on:
Brand Change: colchicine tab 500 mcg (Colgout)
A new brand Colchicine Indoco will be funded from 1 July 2026. The current Colgout brand will be delisted (no longer funded) on 30 November 2026
The Colgout brand is supplied in a bottle with a child resistant closure. The new brand Colchicine Indoco is supplied in a blister back. This change is for safety reasons and to help prevent colchicine overdose.
Supply issue: lansoprazole 30mg capsules
There is a supply issue affecting lansoprazole 30 mg capsules due to an issue at the manufacturer. This stock is now running low and is expected to be unavailable by late June.
To ensure continuity of supply from 12 June, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternative product: Lansoprazole 30 mg oral dispersible tablet. The alternative product, Lansoprazole (Viatris), has not been approved by Medsafe and must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Note - for people with phenylketonuria: The alternative product contains phenylalanine (a component of aspartame).
Supply issue: efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil combination tablet.
There is a long-term supply issue affecting efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. In July 2025, Pharmac listed the TEEVIR Section 29 product as an alternative. This stock is now running very low and there is potential for patient level impact. We will keep the webpage updated.
To maintain continuity of supply, Pharmac has listed another Section 29 alternative: Tenofovir Efavirenz Emtricitabine (Mylan). This was funded from 12 June.
As this is a Section 29 product, it must prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Note - for people with phenylketonuria: The alternative product contains phenylalanine (a component of aspartame).
Supply issue: efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil combination tablet.
There is a long-term supply issue affecting efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. In July 2025, Pharmac listed the TEEVIR Section 29 product as an alternative. This stock is now running very low and there is potential for patient level impact. We will keep the webpage updated.
To maintain continuity of supply, Pharmac has listed another Section 29 alternative: Tenofovir Efavirenz Emtricitabine (Mylan). This was funded from 12 June.
As this is a Section 29 product, it must prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available - efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil (Viatris): Supply issue
Supply issue: rizatriptan 10mg tablets
There is a supply issue affecting rizatriptan 10 mg tablets (Rizamelt) due to an issue at the manufacturer. This stock is now running low and is expected to be unavailable by late June.
To ensure continuity of supply from 12 June, Pharmac listed (funded) an alternative product: rizatriptan 10mg tablets (Rizatriptan Rising). The alternative product,
Rizatriptan Rising, has not been approved by Medsafe and must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Updating Pharmaceutical Schedule for ambulance medicines and tenecteplase for pre-hospital care
From 1 July 2026, Pharmac will take over responsibility for funding medicines used in ambulances. This decision notification outlines changes to the Pharmaceutical
Under this decision, we will also fund tenecteplase for use within emergency ambulance services and Primary Responses in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) services.
We want to make sure that everyone who needs to know about this decision is aware of it. Please share this information with people you think might be interested.
Proposal to change the funded brand of dapsone tablets
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to change the funded brand of dapsone tablets, which are currently supplied by Link Pharmaceuticals (Dapsone).
We are also seeking feedback on a related change to remove the 25 mg tablet from the Pharmaceutical Schedule due to its discontinuation and replace it with a50 mg (scored / halveable) tablet. A 100 mg tablet will remain available, but its brand would change.
No changes are proposed to the current dispensing or access restrictions for this medicine.
If approved, this proposal would take effect from 1 September 2026.
We welcome your feedback. Consultation closes at 5pm, 26 June 2026 and feedback can be emailed to tenderconsult@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.
Midazolam (Pfizer) Inj 1 mg per ml, 5 ml plastic ampoule
Progesterone (Utrogestan) Cap 100 mg (Pharmaco)
Wool fat with mineral oil (DP Lotion) Lotn hydrous 3% with mineral oil
