Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 29 May 2026
- May 29
- 3 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 29 May 2026. It includes information on:
Supply Constraint – TruSteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets due to issues at a component supplier. This disruption is not specific to New Zealand and is likely to continue for the rest of 2026. It affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Pharmac also funds the Autosoft infusion sets, these are compatible with the Tandem pumps and are not impacted by this supply issue.
Please consider switching patients where clinically appropriate to an alternate Autosoft infusion set. Please note the application for these products is different to the TruSteel products and will require training on correct application technique.
From 1 June, to help manage the limited supply of TruSteel infusion sets, we’ve temporarily changed the Schedule listings to monthly dispensing. This means if patients remain on a TruSteel product, they will now collect only one month’s supply at a time from their pharmacy.
The supplier, NZMS, has published guidance and support materials to assist patients transitioning to Autosoft infusion sets. Further information is available on their website - Transitioning from TruSteel to AutoSoft Infusion set
Supply Issue – Risperidone (Teva) 0.5mg tablets and Risperidone (Teva) 2mg tablets.
There is currently a supply disruption affecting risperidone (Teva) 0.5 mg and 2 mg tablets. This is due to an issue at the manufacturer.
To support continuity of care, from 1 June, Pharmac will list (fund) alternative products, Risperidone Sandoz 0.5 mg tab and Risperidone Sandoz 2 mg tab. Please note Risperidone Sandoz tablets are not Medsafe‑approved and must therefore be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Further information about this supply issue will be added to our webpage as updates become available - Risperidone (0.5 mg and 2 mg tablets): Supply issue
Consultation Period Extended - Proposed Changed to Diabetes Medicine Criteria
Pharmac is extending the consultation period on the proposed changes to access criteria for type 2 diabetes medicines.
In May, we released a proposal to amend the Special Authority criteria for empagliflozin, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. We’ve received a significant amount of feedback so far, which reflects how important access to these medicines is for people living with type 2 diabetes.
We’ve also heard that more people would like the opportunity to provide feedback, and that additional information would be helpful to support informed submissions.
To support this, we are extending the consultation period by two weeks. The consultation will now close on Thursday 11 June, instead of the original closing date of Thursday 28 May.
We also expect to release further information on the proposal on our website in the coming days.If you would like to learn more or make a submission, please visit:
If you would like to learn more or make a submission, please visit:
Extending the consultation period may impact the decision and implementation date for this proposal.
We encourage you to share this information with your networks.
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
Crotamiton (Itch-Soothe) Crm 10
Nystatin (Nilstat) Tab 500,000 u
Sodium Fusidate [fusidic acid] (Fucithalmic) Eye drops 1%
