Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 25 September 2026
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 25 September 2026. It includes information on:
New updates
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. This is a generic version of Ritalin LA, in the same strengths (10 mg, 20mg, 30 mg, 40 mg) with an additional 60 mg strength. The 40 mg and 60 mg have been delayed and should be available by late October 2026.
Rubifen LA will be listed under SA2720 [PDF] which generally covers first-line and/or lower-cost brands and presentations.
Supply issue: Fluconazole 150 mg capsule
From 1 October 2026, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate brand APO Health Fluconazole One. This alternate brand is not currently a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29 and 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: Sildenafil 25mg tablets (Vedafil)
From 1 October 2026, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate brand of sildenafil 25mg tablets, Sildenafil (Crescent). The alternate brand, Sildenafil (Crescent) is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Further information – Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets: Supply issue
Supply issue: All strengths of ezetimibe with simvastatin (Zimybe) combination tablets
Pharmac has previously funded an alternate brand, Vytorin, for the 10 mg/40 mg and 10 mg/80 mg strengths.
From 1 October 2026, Pharmac will fund Vytorin brand in the 10 mg/10 mg strength, Ezetimibe Simvastatin Viatris brand in the 10 mg/20 mg strength and Ascend brand in the 10 mg/40 mg strength. The Vytorin brand for the 10 mg/80 mg strength remains available. Further information Ezetimibe with simvastatin (Zimybe) all strengths: Supply issue
The alternate brands are not Medsafe approved and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: Risperidone 1mg tablet (Risperidone Teva)
From 1 October 2026, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate brand Risperidone Sandoz 1mg tablet. This brand is expected to enter the market by the end of September. Risperidone Sandoz is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: Sumatriptan 50mg and 100mg tablets (Sumagran)
Pharmac will fund an alternative brand, Sumatriptan Viatris, from 1 October 2026. This brand is not currently approved by Medsafe and should be prescribed and supplied in accordance with section 29A of the Medicines Act. The supplier, Viatris, is working towards obtaining Medsafe approval for these products.
Discontinuation: digoxin oral liq 50 mcg per ml
Pharmac currently funds two Lanoxin oral liquid 50 mcg per ml products: a New Zealand approved product and an Australian Section 29 product. The supplier has advised that the New Zealand approved product will be discontinued. It is expected to be depleted October 2026.
Once the New Zealand approved product is no longer available, the Australian Section 29 product will be the only funded Lanoxin oral liquid available. As a Section 29 medicine, it must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Lanoxin tablets are unaffected by this change and will continue to be funded and supplied as normal.
Discontinuation: Prazosin Mylan capsules 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg strengths
New brand: APO-Prazosin Mylan tablets 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg strengths.
Viatris/ Mylan the supplier has notified that prazosin capsules (section 29) will no longer be supplied to the New Zealand market from the end of October 2026.
APO-Prazosin tablets will be funded from 1 October 2026. The tablets are Medsafe approved.
Discontinuation: Prazosin Mylan capsules 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg strengths
New brand: APO-Prazosin Mylan tablets 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg strengths.Viatris/ Mylan the supplier has notified that prazosin capsules (section 29) will no longer be supplied to the New Zealand market from the end of October 2026.APO-Prazosin tablets will be funded from 1 October 2026. The tablets are Medsafe approved.
Reminders
Discontinuation reminder: insulins
NovoNordisk are also rationalising their product range and discontinuing three insulins from the 3ml penfill range. Penmix 30 3ml penfill was depleted April 2026. Patients will need to transition to a suitable alternative.
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops selling to wholesalers |
Insulin aspart with insulinaspart protamine | NovoMix30 | FlexPen 3 ml prefilled disposable pen | End of 2026 |
Insulin neutral | Actrapid | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
Insulin isophane | Protaphane | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
There is information regarding use of insulin. NZSSD PDF -external link Eli Lilly has discontinued the 4 insulins below in the 10ml vial presentation. The 3ml penfill presentations remain available.
Humalog
Humulin NPH
Humulin 30/70
Humulin R
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
Applications open to join Pharmac's Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC)
Pharmac is looking for new members to join the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) in 2027.
We are seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced health professionals who are in active clinical practice. Ideal candidates may also bring primary care or cancer care perspectives and/or have sound understanding and experience of population groups with high health needs.
Applications are welcome for the roles of PTAC Chair and up to three PTAC members. Applications close on Monday 12 October 2026 at 5pm.
We look forward to receiving applications and hope you will share this with your networks.
Decision to fund additional strengths of levothyroxine tablets
From 1 February 2027, Pharmac will fund additional strengths of levothyroxine tablets to support more flexible and accurate dosing for people with hypothyroidism.The new strength options may reduce the need for alternate-day dosing regimens, and the need to combine multiple tablet strengths to achieve a prescribed dose. Dose titration for people who require small dose adjustments may also be supported.It is important to note that current funding for levothyroxine brands and strengths will continue, and there is no requirement for anyone to change brands following this decision.
From 1 February 2027:
Synthroid and Eltroxin brands of levothyroxine tablets will each be funded in 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, and 100 mcg strengths
a new 75 mcg strength of Synthroid and Eltroxin will be funded for the first time
a new 25 mcg strength of Eltroxin will be funded for the first time.
Extended pharmacy services additional treatments added
Health New Zealand and Pharmac have made the decision to extend pharmacy services. This decision means community pharmacies will be able to provide a wider range of funded clinical services for additional common conditions that may have otherwise required a GP visit, including:
Treatments for children with mild dermatitis
Treatments for children with bacterial and fungal skin infections
Treatments for children with oral thrush
Treatments for vaginal thrush
Selected oral contraceptives
From 1 October 2026 Health New Zealand will fund consultations provided by community pharmacies for eligible people.
This decision follows the June 2026 decision by Health NZ and Pharmac to expand pharmacy services. The medicines included in this proposal were identified after considering feedback received during the public consultation.
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.
Disopyramide phosphate (Rythmodan Neon) Cap 100 mg
Fluconazole Cap 150 mg (Arrotex)
Morphine sulphate (Sevredol) Tab immediate-release 10 mg
Nifedipine (Nyefax Retard) Tab long-acting 20 mg
