Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 14 August 2026
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Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 14 August 2026. It includes information on:
New updates:
Supply Issue Reminder: Trusteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets (used with Tandem insulin pumps) due to issues at a component supplier. It affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Pharmac also funds Autosoft infusion sets, these are compatible with the Tandem pumps and are not impacted by this supply issue.
Given the limited TruSteel supply available, we strongly encourage prescribers to reserve TruSteel products for priority patient groups and, wherever clinically appropriate, proactively transition other patients to an Autosoft product.
The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) and the Diabetes National Clinical Network (Mahitahi Matehuka) has provided clinical advice identifying patient groups who they recommended should be prioritised for the limited TruSteel stock- Recommendations regarding TruSteel Infusion Set Shortage|NZSSD
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 Sets | NZMS Diabetes.
Schedule change: Estradiol TDP Mylan patches – stat dispensing
From 1 September 2026, Pharmac will remove dispensing limits on Estradiol TDP Mylan patches, so people can collect up to three months’ supply in a single pharmacy visit.
Pharmac will also remove the current limit of two patches per week for this brand.
Removing these limits will make Estradiol TDP Mylan patches easier and more convenient to use, where appropriate.
Global supply of Estradot patches remains tight and uncertain, so there will be no change to how Estradot patches are dispensed, and current limits will stay in place.
Making Estradiol TDP Mylan patches easier to access will help reduce pressure on limited Estradot patches supply and preserve it for people who need that brand.
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 early 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 |
Supply issue: Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25mg and 50mg tablets
There is a supply issue affecting Vedafil sildenafil 25 mg tablets and Vedafil sildenafil 50 mg tablets due to an issue at the manufacturing site.
To help maintain access during the disruption, Pharmac has secured alternative supplies of sildenafil.
From 10 August 2026, Sildenafil (Amarox) 50 mg tablets were listed (funded).
Pharmac is working with the supplier to secure an alternative brand of sildenafil 25 mg tablet, which we hope to list (fund) from October 2026. Stock of Vedafil sildenafil 25 mg tablets is expected to be sufficient to support the funded market until then.
Please note that Sildenafil (Amarox) 50 mg tablets are not Medsafe-approved and must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981.
Pharmac is aware that sildenafil is prescribed for both the funded and private (unfunded) market. To help ensure continued access for people using sildenafil for funded conditions, please consider only prescribing the funded section 29A sildenafil product for patients receiving funded sildenafil treatment. This will help preserve limited stock and support continuity of access for those who rely on funded treatment during the supply disruption.
Further information will be published on our webpage as it becomes available - Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets: Supply issue
Supply issue: clotrimazole 1% vaginal cream (Clomazol)
There is a supply issue affecting clotrimazole 1% vaginal cream (Clomazol) due to a manufacturing delay. Stock levels are anticipated to become limited from early to mid-August. There may be a temporary out-of-stock period before the next shipment arrives and is released in late August.
If the product becomes unavailable, patients will need a new prescription to access an alternative treatment option. Pharmac fund a range of treatment options to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis. Clotrimazole 2% vaginal cream (Clomazol) remains available.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Clotrimazole (Clomazol) 1% vaginal cream: Supply issue
Supply issue: Dapsone 25 mg tab
Link, the supplier, has advised that Dapsone 25 mg tab will be discontinued.
An alternate brand has been sourced. Dapsone 25mg tab (Rising) will be listed (funded) from 1 September 2026.
The alternate brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
In June 2026 Pharmac publicly consulted on a proposal to award supply of dapsone tablets to Medsurge. We are working through the feedback received. Securing supply of dapsone 25mg tab (Rising) will ensure a product is available while a long-term plan for ongoing supply of dapsone is implemented.
Supply issue: Teriparatide Teva Inj 250 mcg per ml, 2.4 ml
The supplier has notified Pharmac that due to delays there will be a further shortage of Teriparatide Teva Inj 250 mcg per ml, 2.4 ml
The alternate Forteo brand was being supplied and now a second alternate S29A product has been sourced.
The alternate funded product is - Teriparatide S29 20 micrograms/80 microlitres, solution for Injection Pre-filled Pen 2.4 ml
Please note that the alternate product expresses the strength differently, but both products contain a total of 600 mcg of teriparatide per 2.4 ml prefilled syringe.
The alternate brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
PSO pack size and brand change: Furosemide Injection 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
Furosemide-AFT Inj 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule was listed (funded) 1 March 2026 and has principal supply status from 1 August 2026 to 30 June 2028.
The PSO quantity was increased from 5 to 10 ampoules for furosemide injection 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule from 1 March 2026, to align with the AFT pack size.
Pharmac consultation: Changes to the Practitioner Supply Order (PSO) list and rules
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to expand the range of funded medicines available through Practitioners Supply Orders (PSO).The proposal would allow practices to keep a broader range of commonly used medicines on hand, making it easier to provide timely treatment directly to patients during their visit. We are also proposing changes to the Pharmaceutical Schedule rules to make it clearer how PSO medicines can be used in general practice. For more information on this consultation, read the full Proposal to expand the range of funded medicines available through Practitioners Supply Orders We welcome your feedback on whether we have proposed medicines and Schedule rules that are appropriate and would work in practice. Consultation is open until Friday 31 August 2026. |
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.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) Tab 15 mg
