Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 24 April 2026
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 24 April 2026. It includes information on:
Discontinuation: Duolin nebuliser soln, containing salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule New listing: Combiprasal nebuliser soln, containing salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule
Duolin nebuliser soln has been discontinued. The alternate Cipla brand expire 30 June 2026. A second alternate, Combiprasal brand will be funded from 1 May 2026.
Combiprasal active ingredients and strength remain the same as Duolin.
Combiprasal brand is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
A webpage with a downloadable patient leaflet is available to help reassure patients about this brand change Duolin nebules on Pharmac website
Supply issue: progesterone (Utrogestan) 100 mg capsules
Pharmac is managing a supply issue affecting progesterone (Utrogestan) 100 mg capsules. Increased demand, long manufacturing lead times and a temperature issue with a recent air freight shipment contributed to this supply issue.
Currently, progesterone (Utrogestan) is a stat medicine. This means that it can be dispensed from a pharmacy in 3-month supplies. From the 1 May 2026, Pharmac will remove stat dispensing from Utrogestan, which means that pharmacies will only be able to dispense a maximum supply of one month at a time.
Supply issue: olanzapine Orodispersible (Zypine ODT) 10mg and 5mg tablets
Due to an unexpected issue at the manufacturing site, there is currently a supply issue affecting olanzapine orodispersible (Zypine ODT) 10 mg tab and 5 mg tab.
To ensure people can continue their treatment without interruption, alternative products are being funded from 1 May 2026. Some alternative products are not Medsafe approved and are therefore subject to legislative requirements of Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981.
Further information, including details of Section 29 alternatives, is available on our webpage. Further information will be added to our website.
Supply issue: ramipril (Tryzan) all strengths
An issue at the manufacturing site has caused a supply disruption for all strengths of ramipril (Tryzan) capsules. Stock is expected to run out between late April and early June. Resupply of the Medsafe approved product is expected mid to late 2026.
The supplier has sourced Section 29A alternatives for all strengths. These are in tablet form (rather than capsules). As they are not Medsafe approved, they will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981.
Further updates will be provided on our website as information becomes available
Supply issue - ezetimibe with simvastatin 10/40 mg combination tablet (Zimybe)
Due to a delay at the manufacturing site, there is a supply issue affecting ezetimibe with simvastatin 10/40 mg combination tablet (Zimybe).
From 1 May 2026 Pharmac is funding an alternative product ezetimibe with simvastatin 10/40 mg (Vytorin). This product is not Medsafe approved and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981
Supply issue: dexamethasone phosphate Inj 4 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
The supplier advises that the 2 ml ampoules are now expected to be available again in May 2026. Additional stock of the dexamethasone phosphate Inj 4 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule has arrived in New Zealand to ensure this treatment remains available.
If supply continues to be constrained, betamethasone sodium phosphate with betamethasone acetate injections is available again. This may be a suitable alternative for some indications. It is partially funded.
Tender 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, will be listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 May 2026
The Firazyr brand will be delisted (no longer funded) from 1 October 2026
The Lupin product has the same active ingredient and excipients. Both brands come with a needle to attach to the syringe.
Training is required for new patients that are deemed suitable to self-administer or have administration by a caregiver. Please ensure affected patients are trained at their consult or reach out to Lupin on 0800 600 597 option 3. The training is available for any patients currently self-administering who you consider may benefit from further training.
Resources including dummy syringes are available to be ordered via Lupin NZ Customer Service email nzcustomerservice@lupin.com
The Exceptional Circumstances pathway is a potential pathway to explore for patients who are unable to tolerate the new funded brand for clinical reasons.
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.
Oxycodone hydrochloride Oral liq 5 mg per 5 ml
Sodium bicarbonate (Sodibic) Cap 840 mg
Tetracycline Tab 250 mg
Zinc sulphate (Zincaps) Cap 137.4 mg (50 mg elemental)
