Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 18 September 2026
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 11 September 2026. It includes information on:
New updates
Widening of Access: rosuvastatin removal of Special Authority
From 1 October 2026, rosuvastatin will no longer require a Special Authority for funded access. This means it is open listed and may be prescribed funded to any New Zealander when clinically appropriate.
New listing: Rubifen LA for ADHD and narcolepsy
From 1 October 2026, Rubifen LA capsules will be funded for people with ADHD and narcolepsy who meet existing eligibility criteria, consistent with other methylphenidate products. This is a generic version of Ritalin LA, in the same strengths with an additional 60 mg strength
Supply information
Rubifen LA 10 mg and 20 mg strengths are available now. The 30 mg should be available by the end of September 2026. The 40 mg and 60 mg should be available by late October 2026.
Pharmac will provide updates on stock on our website.
Rubifen LA will be listed under SA2590 [PDF] which generally covers first-line and/or lower-cost brands and presentations.
See Medsafe guidance on Using caution if switching between long-acting methylphenidate products due to formulation differences.
See Medsafe guidance on Unapproved Use of Medicines when prescribing for narcolepsy.
Brand and strength change: Dapsone tablets
Dapsone tab 25 mg and tab 100 mg will be discontinued in NZ and delisted (no longer funded) on 1 March 2027. Dapsone (Rising) 25mg tab will be delisted 1 March 2027.
Dapsomed tab 50 mg and 100 mg will be listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2026.
This is a brand change for dapsone 100 mg tab, and we have funded a 50 mg tab instead of a 25 mg tab. The Dapsomed tab 50mg is scored, can be halved and crushed or dispersed in water.
Supply issue: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a Inj 180 mcg prefilled syringe (Pegasys S29)
As communicated earlier, due to global shortages, supply of Pegasys may be limited until the end of 2026.
The supplier has notified Pharmac that there will be a shortage of the current Pegylated interferon alfa-2a Inj 180 mcg prefilled syringe (Pegasys S29)
An alternate Section 29 product (Pegasys S29 (ANZ)) has been listed (funded) mid cycle from 10 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. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)
Medtronic (MiniMed 770G) insulin pumps and consumablesAs previously communicated, people currently using a Medtronic MiniMed 770G insulin pump have until 1 October 2026 to move to a different funded pump. The 2-year transition period is nearly complete. The other option for remaining on the pump is to apply for an exemption to receive funded access to consumables.
From 1st October 2026, Medtronic/MiniMed reservoirs and infusion sets will be delisted (no longer funded by Pharmac.)
Ongoing access to funded consumables (brand name - Guardian 4) will require approval through Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances process for alternative brand requests for diabetes technology. Please link to our webpage for details on the application process
Patients who already have Exceptional Circumstances approval (for Guardian 4) do not need to take any action at this point. Their pump consumables approval will be supported and extended following the delisting in October.
For patients whose Exceptional Circumstances approval expires on or before 30th September 2026, it is important they act now.
A new special authority number will be required for patients to change from the MiniMed 770G to the Tandem or YpsoPump.
Please note - the "Maximum of 1 insulin pump per patient each four-year period" rule does not apply for people changing from a funded Medtronic pump to the Tandem or YpsoPump. They can receive a funded pump, even if they got their Medtronic pump less than 4 years ago.
Tender Brand Change: Entecavir 0.5 mg tablets
The brand of Entecavir 0.5 mg tablets is changing from Entecavir (Rex) to Entecavir Sandoz from 1 October 2026. The Entecavir Sandoz tablet is round rather than triangular.
Reminders
Discontinuation Reminder: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tablets
Sanofi expects that stock will be available until the end of November 2026. Please transition affected patients as soon as possible. For more information Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
Coversyl tablets change of salt: Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine
Please transition your patients currently on Coversyl 2 mg and 8 mg tablets to the equivalent perindopril arginine strengths (Coversyl 2.5 mg and 10 mg respectively) from September.
Coversyl 4 mg tablets will remain available longer. Please transition these patients to the equivalent Coversyl 5mg tablets from late October. Coversyl on Pharmac website
Supply issue: olanzapine ODT 5 mg tablet (Zypine ODT)
From 10 September 2026, an alternate Zyprexa Zydis has been funded. This brand is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: Risperidone 3 mg tablets
From 10 September 2026, an alternate Risperidone (Relonchem) has been funded. This is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act
Funding changes: Escitalopram 10mg tablets from 1 February 2027
From 1 February 2027, the currently listed escitalopram (Ethics) 10 mg tablets brand will be delisted (no longer funded)
We recognise that some people may be unable to transition to the funded Ipca-Escitalopram brand for clinical reasons. Prescribers can apply for funded access to an alternative brand, such as Ethics escitalopram, through the NPPA pathway Applications may be submitted before the delisting date of 1 February 2027.
Reminder of brand change: Icatibant inj 10 mg per ml, 3 ml prefilled syringe
The Lupin brand of Icatibant inj 10 mg per ml, 3 ml prefilled syringe was listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 May 2026
For those new patients that are deemed suitable to self-administer or have administration by a caregiver, training is required. Affected patients should be trained preferably at their consult or can reach out to Lupin on 0800 600 597 option 3. The training is also available for any patients currently self-administering who may benefit from further training.
Please ensure that paediatric patients who require adaptors and syringes know how to access them.
More information - https://www.lupin.co.nz/products/ Icatibant on Pharmac website
Consultation: Proposal to widen access to febuxostat for the treatment of gout
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to widen access to febuxostat from 1 February 2027 for the treatment of gout in people whose symptoms cannot be adequately controlled with allopurinol, or who can’t tolerate allopurinol.
Currently, people must trial both allopurinol and probenecid before becoming eligible for funded febuxostat.
Pharmac is proposing to remove the requirement to trial probenecid. This would give patients and clinicians two options for second-line treatment: febuxostat or probenecid.
Consultation is open until 5pm, Wednesday 30 September 2026. You can read the proposal and provide feedback here: Proposal to widen access to febuxostat for the treatment of gout.
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.
Colloidal bismuth subcitrate (Gastrodenol) Tab 120 mg
Codeine phosphate Tab 60 mg (Noumed)
Fluticasone (Flixotide Accuhaler 50 mcg) Powder for inhalation, 50 mcg per dose
Ifosfamide (Holoxon) Inj 1 g
Morphine sulphate (Medsurge) Inj 15 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule
Prazosin (Prazosin Mylan) Cap 2 mg
