Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 27 March 2026
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 27 March 2026. It includes information on:
Supply issue: Dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets
There is a supply issue affecting the Noumed brand of dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets. The supplier has advised that stock will be unavailable from April to June 2026.
From 1 April, the Aspen brand of dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets will be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
The excipients in the Aspen brand of Dexamfetamine contain gluten which may cause issues for patients that are coeliac or have an intolerance to gluten products.
Pharmacies will need to consider prioritising the Noumed brand for patients with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, as it does not contain gluten. We ask that prescribers please consider alternative treatments for patients with coeliac disease if the pharmacy does not have stock of the Noumed brand.
Supply issue: flumetasone pivalate ear drops (Locorten-Vioform)
The supplier of flumetasone pivalate ear drops (Locorten-Vioform) has advised that it will be out of stock from late March 2026 until at least August 2026.
Kenacomb ear drops are available as a potential funded alternative. Sofradex is also available as an alternative, however, it is only partially funded. Please note, these are different products and will require a new prescription. More information is available on the Pharmac website.
Supply issue: hydrocortisone with cinchocaine (Proctosedyl) suppository. New alternative listed – Scheriproct suppository.
The supplier (AFT) has informed Pharmac that due to a delayed shipment that Proctosedyl suppositories are out of stock. Ultraproct suppositories have also been out of stock for a long period. Pharmac has sourced an alternate product. Scheriproct suppositories have been listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Scheriproct suppositories will be available in New Zealand early April.
Please note this is a different product and will require a new prescription. A Recare prompt will be set up with a reminder about the new product as a potential alternative.
The active ingredients in Scheriproct suppositories are cinchocaine hydrocholoride 1mg + prednisolone hexanoate 1.3mg This product needs to be supplied and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: omeprazole (Dr Reddy’s Omeprazole) inj 40 mg ampoule with diluent
There have been further delays, and this product is expected to arrive at the end of June 2026. The supplier has sourced an alternative - the Ocicure brand is available and has been used during previous supply issues. This brand is not a Medsafe approved product and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Conflict in the Middle East: Impact on the supply chain
We understand the conflict in the Middle East could have an impact on global supply chains, including the supply of medicines and medical devices to New Zealand.
We will keep our medicine supply notices page up to date with information about any individual products that might be affected. This is the link the webpage - Medicine supply notices
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.
Beclomethasone dipropionate (Qvar) Aerosol inhaler, 50 mcg per dose
Sodium Fusidate [fusidic acid] (Foban) Oint 2%
