Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 26 June 2026
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 26 June 2026. It includes information on:
Supply issue: candesartan (Candestar) (all strengths) Due to issues at the manufacturing plant, there is extremely limited supply of all strengths (4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, and 32 mg) of candesartan tablets (Candestar brand and alternative brands). From 1 July 2026, monthly dispensing will apply to all strengths of candesartan to support equitable distribution while supply remains constrained.Alternative brands are listed (funded) from 1 July 2026 to support continuity of supply. The supplier is receiving small shipments of the alternative brands and releasing them as soon as they can. Pharmacies may receive less supply than usual. Alternative brands listed (funded) from 1 July 2026
A Medsafe‑approved alternative, Candesartan Viatris Sante 4mg tablet, has been sourced, and is being repackaged.
Candesartan Viatris (8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg) have been listed as an alternative, with a Medsafe labelling exemption, and can be prescribed and dispensed as Medsafe approved medicines.
Additional brands that are not Medsafe approved (APO‑Candesartan, Sandoz‑Candesartan, Candesartan Mylan) must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act as they are unapproved medicines.
One alternative (Candesartan Viatris Sante 4 mg) is supplied in French packaging with a French leaflet; this is temporary, and the leaflet should be discarded.
Due to the complexity of the supply issue, many patients may need to temporarily switch brands. Prescribers and pharmacists will play an important role in supporting patients through this transition.
The funded brand Candestar is expected to return in September 2026.
For further details, refer to the Candesartan on Pharmac website.
Supply issue and change of age range: PediaSure Chocolate 200mL bottle
PediaSure Chocolate 200 ml has new packaging and a new stated age range (Previous:1-10 years New: 3-10 years). This is to align with changes in the European regulatory requirements, where the product is manufactured. There has been no change in the formulation or nutritional composition of the product.
An out-of-stock period is expected between June and September 2026. The PediaSure Vanilla 200mL and PediaSure Strawberry 200mL are not affected by this change. These may be used as funded alternatives where suitable.
Supply issue: temozolomide 5mg capsules (Temaccord)
There is a supply issue affecting temozolomide 5mg capsules (Temaccord). To ensure continuity of supply, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate product Temozolomide (Devatis) from 1 July 2026.
The alternate product, Temozolomide (Devatis) is not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Temaccord is expected to be available again late-July.
Supply issue: promethazine hydrochloride injection 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule (Hospira)
There is a supply issue affecting promethazine hydrochloride inj 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule due to short-dated product in the market. All Hospira promethazine hydrochloride inj 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoules are due to expire end of August 2026
To ensure continuity of supply, Pharmac has listed an alternate product XGen promethazine hydrochloride inj 25 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule from 1 July 2026. The Hospira Medsafe approved brand is not expected to be available in New Zealand until early November.
Key information about the XGen promethazine hydrochloride inj:
The XGen product is not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. This has implications for supply on PSO – see Medsafe’s website.
The XGen product, comes as a 1ml ampoule. The concentration is the same 25 mg per ml.
Note: different diluent requirements, post‑dilution storage conditions, IV administration instructions, compared with the current Hospira/DBL product
Supply issue: teriflunomide 14mg tablets (Teriflunomide Sandoz)
There is a supply issue affecting Teriflunomide Sandoz 14mg tablets. To ensure continuity of supply, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate brand: Teriflunomide Aurobindo from 1 July 2026.
The alternate brand, Teriflunomide Aurobindo, comes in a pack of 30 tablets rather than 28. This product is not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the medicines Act.
Teriflunomide Sandoz 14mg tablets are expected to be available again from late-August.
Supply issue: ursodeoxycholic acid cap 250mg (Ursosan)
BNM the supplier has notified Pharmac that due to delays there will potentially be a shortage of Ursosan cap 250mg.
An alternate product APO-Ursodeoxycholic Acid Cap 250 mg will be listed (funded) and available 1 July. This medicine is not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Tenecteplase and STEMI/fibrinolysis kits for PRIME providers
From 1 July 2026, tenecteplase will be funded on the Community Schedule when supplied on a Practitioner Supply Order (PSO) with an endorsement for use by PRIME services.
This means that PRIME providers will be able to order tenecteplase from community pharmacies on a PSO, consistent with arrangements for the supply of other PRIME medicines.
Until now, tenecteplase and STEMI/fibrinolysis kits have been provided directly to PRIME providers from Health NZ hospitals. This previous arrangement will cease from 1 July 2026. Hospital pharmacies will no longer supply tenecteplase, or other medicines held in ‘STEMI/ fibrinolysis kits’ to PRIME providers. STEMI/ fibrinolysis kits contain the following medicines: aspirin 300mg, tenecteplase 50mg, heparin 5000 units, enoxaparin 100mg and clopidogrel 75mg.
All STEMI/fibrinolysis medicines (including tenecteplase) are funded in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule and should be ordered on a Practitioner Supply Order (PSO) from community pharmacy.
STEMI medicines/kits currently in circulation which have been obtained from hospital pharmacies should continue to be used until expiry as per current processes.
We encourage PRIME providers using tenecteplase to discuss order frequency and quantity with their preferred pharmacy so that the pharmacy can manage their stock holdings of the medicine
Decision to fund another brand of methylphenidate for ADHD
Pharmac has decided to fund another brand of methylphenidate, Rubifen LA, to help ease supply issues and provide more treatment options for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Rubifen LA will be funded from 1 October 2026.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during consultation. This feedback has informed our decision. 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.
Dexamfetamine sulfate Tab 5 mg (Noumed)
Hydrocortisone with cinchocaine (Proctosedyl) Suppos
Nortriptyline hydrochloride (Allegron) Tab 10 mg
