Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 28 November 2025
- admin82291
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 28 November 2025. It includes information on:
Pharmac funding both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patches
From 1 December 2025, the funded brands of oestradiol patches will be Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot. Everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to use either of these brands.
The following brands of oestradiol patches will be delisted on 1 December 2025:
Lyllana
Estradiol Sandoz
Estradiol Viatris
Estraderm MX
Please ensure you have transferred patients to either Estradiol TDP Mylan or Estradot.
Pharmac have created an on-line portal where GP practices can order (free of charge) oestradiol flyers s to help with informing patients about this change. These can be ordered via the Bluestar order form for A5 patient fliers (external link). The flyer can be also seen on our website. Oestradiol flyer [PDF, 508 KB]
Supply issue: isoniazid 100mg with rifampicin 150mg (Rifinah) Tab
Sanofi, the supplier of isoniazid 100mg with rifampicin 150mg (Rifinah) tab has advised of a supply issue due to delays with manufacturing. The current stock expires 30 November 2025.
An alternative brand Rifamazid has been listed (funded) from 1 December 2025. This is an unapproved medicine and needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29 of the Medicines Act. It should be available to order mid to late December 2025.
Rifamazid labels and packaging are in Polish. The supplier will include an English language Consumer Information Sheet with each box. Additional information including a patient information leaflet can be found - Rifinah supply issue on the Pharmac website
Where the combined formulation is not available the individual tablets of each ingredient can be used:
Isoniazid Tab 100 mg (Noumed Isoniazid) and
Rifampicin Cap 150 mg (Rifadin Sanofi)
We understand that this is not ideal, however, this approach means people can continue to access treatment.
Recall notice: Continuous glucose monitor (interoperable) Sensor (Freestyle Libre 3 Plus)
Abbott, the supplier, has issued a recall for some batches of FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitors. Abbott has recently identified that certain FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors provide incorrect low glucose readings. This is a global issue. This issue does not affect any other Libre sensors, apps or readers available in New Zealand.
Abbott has contacted every patient who may be affected. You can check whether CGMs are affected on a website provided by Abbott: Urgent medical device recall - FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensors.
Abbott will arrange to replace the faulty products free of charge.
Supply issue update: zinc sulphate (Zincaps) Capsules 50mg
As previously communicated, there is a supply issue with Zincaps. Arrotex is now out of stock. The alternative Section 29 Zincaps was listed 1 October 2025, and there is approximately two weeks’ stock remaining of this product. There have been further manufacturing delays, and resupply of the Medsafe approved Zincaps is now expected in February 2026.
Pharmac is investigating further options for alternative supply and is working with wholesalers and individual pharmacies to ensure supply is available for people with rare disorders.
Supply issue update: lanreotide inj 60 mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe (Mytolac)
There is currently no stock available of lanreotide inj 60mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe (Mytolac) due to manufacturing delays. The supplier BNM does not expect to have registered stock available until March 2026.
BNM has been supplying an alternative lanreotide inj 60 mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe (Mytolac Section 29). This alternative product was listed (funded) from 1 July 2025. The alternative product is identical to the New Zealand registered product except that the inner foil pack and syringe label is in Italian and shows the Italian brand name Myrelez. BNM have sent a letter to healthcare professionals detailing the differences (which you can download using the button below).
Update on Methylphenidate Sandoz XR
There has been a brief delay on the arrival of the new brand of methylphenidate, Methylphenidate Sandoz XR, which is funded from 1 December 2025. Pharmacies can order stock from wholesalers from mid-December 2025. Decision to fund a new brand of methylphenidate hydrochloride.
We appreciate your patience; the supplier is working hard to get this product to New Zealand.
Discontinuation: lopinavir 100mg with ritonavir 25mg tablet (Mylan brand)
The Mylan brand will be discontinued on 1 December 2025. There are currently no patients using these tablets. From 1 December 2025 Pharmac has listed the lopinavir 100mg with ritonavir 25mg tablets and an oral liquid as ‘any brand’ on the HML so hospitals can source any brand.
Lopinavir with ritonavir is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, in combination with other antiretroviral agents in adults and children aged 2 years and older. This strength is mainly used for children. The higher strength lopinavir 200mg with ritonavir 50mg tablets (Mylan) are used and remain available.
Proposal to fund nitisinone for people with rare inherited metabolic disorders
We want your feedback on a proposal to fund nitisinone for people with rare inherited metabolic disorders, including tyrosinemia type 1 and alkaptonuria.
Nitisinone is currently funded through Pharmac’s Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) pathway. Under this proposal, it would be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule, making it easier for clinicians to prescribe and helping ensure ongoing supply in New Zealand.
More information about the proposal is available here: Proposal to fund nitisinone for people with rare inherited metabolic disorders.The consultation webpage includes an online form for you to provide feedback. Consultation closes 5pm 12 December 2025.
If the proposal is approved, the funding change would start from 1 February 2026.
Pharmac decision to make HIV medicine access easier
From 1 March 2026 all HIV medicines will be able to be dispensed in three-month amounts, rather than monthly, making it easier for people to manage their treatment.
In October, we consulted on three changes to the way New Zealanders access HIV medicines. Thank you to all those who provided feedback.
In response to this feedback, we have delayed the proposed effective date from 1 December 2025 to 1 March 2026 to give everyone more time to adapt.
We also decided not to remove Special Authority criteria or enable access for HIV medicines on the Practitioner’s Supply Order (PSO) at this stage. An alternative proposal will be developed and consulted on in 2026.
You can read the decision and summary of feedback on our website: Decision to enable three monthly (STAT) dispensing for HIV medicines
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.
Flecainide acetate (Tambocor) Inj 10 mg per ml, 15 ml ampoule
Flumetasone pivalate (Locorten-Vioform) Ear drops 0.02% with clioquinol 1%
Venetoclax (Venclexta) Tab 14 x 10 mg, 7 x 50 mg, 21 x 100 mg
