Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 23 October 2026
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 23 October 2026. It includes information on:
New updates
Supply issue: Pimafucort Ointment
There is an upcoming long-term supply issue affecting Pimafucort ointment. The supplier has advised that due to a significant manufacturing issue affecting an ingredient used in the product, stock is expected to be unavailable from mid-November 2026. The out-of-stock period is currently expected to last at least 12 months, with stock not expected to return until 2028.
There is no funded alternative that contains the same combination of ingredients as Pimafucort ointment. However, Pharmac funds a range of fully and partially funded topical corticosteroid, antifungal, and antibacterial products, including both individual ingredients and combination products. Currently listed products on the Community Schedule can be found at the below links to the Pharmaceutical Schedule:
Minor Skin Infections (povidone iodine)
*Note: Hydrocortisone 1% ointment is not listed as a proprietary product, however, this can be compounded by a pharmacy, and this will be funded.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Pimafucort ointment (Hydrocortisone with natamycin and neomycin): Long-term supply issue. An educational article from Bpac will follow.
Supply issue: Vannair metred dose inhalers (budesonide 100 mcg with eformoterol fumarate 6 mcg, budesonide 200 mcg with eformoterol fumarate 6 mcg)
AstraZenca the supplier has notified Pharmac that there has been delays in the shipments of Vannair 100/6 and Vannair 200/6 metred dose inhalers (MDIs). Patient impact is not expected at this time.
Vannair 100/6 – the shipment has now arrived in New Zealand and should be coming through the supply chain, and available for ordering
Vannair 200/6 – the shipment is expected early November. Current stock across wholesalers and pharmacies should be sufficient to supply the market until the shipment arrives.
The situation is being closely monitored, and Pharmac will send out further communications as soon as possible, if patient impact is expected.
Pharmac is working with the supplier to consider suitable alternatives if further delays occur. Supply issue: pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg (Vexazone)Due to an issue at the manufacturing site, there is a supply constraint affecting pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg (Vexazone brand). Vexazone tab 45 mg are not affected.
From 1 November 2026, Pharmac will fund the Rising brand of pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg
The alternate Rising brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Vexazone is not expected to be available until 2027. Our webpage will continue to be updated Pioglitazone on Pharmac website
Discontinuations
Discontinuation update: Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets We have secured additional supply of Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets through to December next year (2027).
We are working to identify alternative options for people who are unable to transition to other funded treatments. In the meantime, the supplier has confirmed it can continue to meet current demand while this work is underway.
Where appropriate we encourage clinicians to support their patients using Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets to transition to funded alternatives to ensure stock remains available for the people who need it.
We will continue to provide updates on our website as further information becomes available. Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
Discontinuation: Daonil (glibenclamide) tab 5 mg
The supplier Sanofi is discontinuing Daonil tab 5 mg globally. Sanofi has confirmed that they will continue supplying stock until February 2027.
Please ensure that patients are transitioned to a suitable alternative treatment.
There may be a small number of patients that are not able to transition to other treatment. Please consider the NPPA pathway (Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment) for accessing glibenclamide tab 5 mg for these patients.
Reminders
Reminder of Coversyl tablets salt change
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 now.
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
We have asked pharmacies to stock both salts. Perindopril erbumine can provide continuity for patients with repeat prescriptions, while perindopril arginine can be allocated to new prescriptions.
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.
Mirtazapine Tab 30 mg
Mirtazapine Tab 45 mg
