Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 24 July 2026
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Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 24 July 2026. It includes information on:
24-07-2026 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care
New updates:
Supply issue: oestradiol 100mcg patch (Estradot brand)
Sandoz, the supplier has advised stock of the oestradiol 100mcg patches (Estradot brand) is very low and may run out. The Estradot 25, 50, 75 mcg strengths are not currently affected. All strengths of the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand are available. Please consider whether the 100-mcg Estradiol TDP Mylan brand is a suitable alternative for your patients.
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. Any changes in treatment would require a new prescription before they can be supplied by your pharmacy.
We expect Estradot 100 mcg to be available again by late August to early September. There is still a global supply issue affecting Estradot patches and supply of Estradot could be disrupted again.
We have secured as much Estradot as the supplier is able to provide. However, there may be times when there is not enough Estradot for everyone who needs it.
For further details, refer to the Pharmac supply notices
Upcoming Discontinuations:
Discontinuation: Asthalin nebuliser soln, salbutamol 1 mg/ ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
Alternate listing: UK Cipla nebuliser soln, salbutamol 1 mg/ ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
The supplier can no longer supply Asthalin salbutamol 1mg / ml to New Zealand. An alternative brand UK Cipla is funded and available. This is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. Section 29A requires the patient to be known at the time of supply. On this basis, supply on a Practitioner’s Supply Order is not generally possible. However, there are exceptional circumstances for some emergency medicines, when holding an emergency supply in stock may be essential for patient safety. Medsafe website PSO information.
Asthalin 2 mg / ml has been reserved for ambulance use, but the supplier has procured additional stock which should be available for pharmacy and hospital ordering in August. Pharmac will provide further updates in due course on the long-term supply outlook for Asthalin 2 mg / ml.
Discontinuation: Cardinol LA cap 160mg
The supplier Viatris has discontinued supply of Cardinol LA cap 160mg in NZ. An alternative Propranolol Lupin S29 will be funded from 1 August 2026. The Lupin brand is dual labelled with English and French text.
From 1 August 2026 stat dispensing will be removed from propranolol LA cap 160mg. Monthly dispensing will help to preserve stock until the supply chain is stable.
The alternate brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Discontinuation: efavirenz tablets (Efavirenz Milpharm 600 mg)
This is a reminder that this medicine will be discontinued and no longer funded from 1 November 2026. We expect stock to run out September 2026.
Anyone still using efavirenz will need to change to an alternative funded antiretroviral medicine. If you require NHI numbers to identify patients on efavirenz, please email Data-Enquiries
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.
Lorazepam (Ativan) Tab 2.5 mg
Methotrexate (Methotrexate Sandoz) Inj 7.5 mg prefilled syringe
Nystatin (Nilstat) Vaginal crm 100,000 u per 5 g with applicators
Rifabutin (Mycobutin) Cap 150 mg
Rifampicin (Rifadin) Oral liq 100 mg per 5 ml
Temozolomide (Temaccord) Cap 5 mg
