Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 24 October 2025
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- 14 hours ago
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Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 24 October 2025. It includes information on:
24-10-2025 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care
Consultation now open - proposed changes to the Options for Investment list
Pharmac is now consulting publicly on a proposal to bring greater clarity and transparency to how we manage medicine funding applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list.
We’re proposing to decline some of the lowest-ranked applications that have remained on the OFI list for more than two years, as they are unlikely to be funded under current priorities. This change aims to help people better understand our funding intentions and support more informed decision-making.
Consultation opened on Monday 20 October and closes at 5 pm on Monday 17 November. More information about Pharmac’s proposal, including how to provide feedback, is available at Consultation.
After we have considered the feedback, the Pharmac Board will make a decision on the proposal. If approved, we expect at this stage that no changes to the OFI will be made until after a further consultation, at the earliest in mid-2026.
You are welcome to contact us at applicationfeedback@pharmac.govt.nz
Proposal to fund silver diamine fluoride
We want your feedback on a proposal to fund silver diamine fluoride for people accessing dental services through Health New Zealand public hospitals, and the ‘Health New Zealand Community Oral Health Service’ for children and some adolescents.
Silver diamine fluoride is a topical dental treatment, combining ionic silver and fluoride. It can stop the progression of existing cavities and reduce tooth sensitivity. It is used in hospitals and community dental clinics and can only be administered by a registered oral health practitioner with the patient or their caregiver’s written consent.
More information about the proposal is available here
The consultation webpage includes an online form for you to provide feedback. The consultation closes 5pm Thursday 30 October. If the proposal is approved, the funding change would start from 1 December 2025.
Update: nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid)
From 1 September 2025 there were access criteria changes for funded COVID-19 antivirals (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) and remdesivir injection (Veklury))
Further changes for prescribers to note:
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) was previously contraindicated in patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 but now can be considered in this group in some situations. The Paxlovid Medicine datasheet was updated in September 2025, to include dosing for this group.
Please remember to endorse prescriptions for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) with the following:
Endorsement to confirm that the patient meets the access criteria for funded treatment.
Date of symptom onset.
eGFR result if known renal impairment.
Include details of any changes made due to potential medicine interactions, so the pharmacist can reinforce the changes to the patient.
Your contact number (for pharmacist use if necessary)
BPAC has developed comprehensive guidance to support health care professionals assess whether someone is at high risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19, this can be found on their website BPAC article - COVID-19 antivirals: Eligibility and prescribing guidance
Supply issue: oxytocin BNM (inj 10 iu per ml)
Due to manufacturing delays, the supplier is expecting a constrained supply of oxytocin injection 10 iu per ml, 1 ml ampoule until the next shipment arrives late November 2025. The 5 iu per ml strength is not affected by this issue.
Medsafe has approved a labelling exemption for an alternative product from Germany. The product should be available to order by the end of October 2025. The product is identical except the label on the ampoule is in German. It will come in the standard New Zealand-labelled carton, and it will have the same Pharmacode. Oxytocin (inj 10 iu per ml) graphics on Pharmac website
Supply issue: testosterone cipionate Inj 100 mg per ml, 10 ml vial (Depo-Testosterone)
The supplier Pfizer has informed us that, Depo-Testosterone will be in short supply from mid-November to mid-December 2025. Pfizer has been unable to find an alternative bioequivalent product. Please consider not starting any new patients on Depo-Testosterone for the supply issue period.
Clinical advisors have told us prescribers may wish to consider alternative funded testosterone products such as Reandron 1000 vial and Sustanon 250. Sustanon 250 contains arachis (peanut) oil and is not suitable for people with a nut allergy.
Supply issue update: oxycodone hydrochloride (Oxycodone Amneal) tab immediate release
Pharmac has been advised the next delivery of oxycodone hydrochloride (Oxycodone Amneal) tab immediate release 5mg, 10mg and 20mg has been delayed further and will now be arriving late- October.
Oxycodone Tab immediate release 5mg: Supplier out of stock
Oxycodone Tab immediate release 10mg & immediate release 20mg: There is a small amount of stock available at the wholesalers (the supplier is out of stock).
Oxycodone 5mg/5ml oral liquid: Stock is available.
Discontinuation: insulin glulisine (Apidra) 10ml vial
Sanofi the supplier is discontinuing Apidra 10ml vial. This is a global discontinuation due to a decline in usage. The supplier is expected to be out of stock by April 2026. There are 2 other presentations of Apidra available – a 3 ml cartridge for use in a reusable pen and a prefilled 3ml disposable pen. For more information see Apidra discontinuation on Pharmac website
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.
Amoxicillin (Ibiamox) Inj 500 mg vial
Sodium cromoglicate (Ralicrom) Cap 100
