Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 3 July 2026
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 3 July 2026. It includes information on:
03-07-2026 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care
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 was applied to all strengths of candesartan to support equitable distribution while supply remains constrained.
Alternative brands were 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
Candesartan Viatris (4 mg, 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 8 mg, 16 mg and 32 mg tablets, Candesartan Sandoz AU 4 mg tablets, Candesartan Mylan 4 mg tablets) 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 to the New Zealand market in September 2026.
For further details, refer to the Candesartan on Pharmac website.
Supply issue: TruSteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets due to issues at a component supplier. It affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Pharmac funds Autosoft infusion sets, these are compatible with the Tandem pumps and are not impacted by this supply issue.
Given the limited TruSteel supply available, we strongly encourage prescribers to reserve TruSteel products for priority patient groups and, wherever clinically appropriate, proactively transition other patients to an Autosoft product.
The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) and the Diabetes National Clinical Network (Mahitahi Matehuka) has provided clinical advice identifying patient groups who they recommended should be prioritised for the limited TruSteel stock- Recommendations regarding TruSteel Infusion Set Shortage|NZSSD
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 Sets | NZMS Diabetes.
Supply issue: methotrexate 7.5mg prefilled syringe
The supplier has notified Pharmac that there is potential for a shortage of Methotrexate 7.5mg prefilled syringe Sandoz brand. To minimise risk of disruption, an alternate product has been sourced and was listed (funded) from 1 July 2026. The alternative Pharmascience brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. The alternate brand is dual labelled with English and French. Please note the differences
| Methotrexate 7.5mg prefilled syringe Sandoz brand (current) | Methotrexate 7.5mg prefilled syringe Pharmascience brand (new) |
Total dose | 7.5mg | 7.5mg |
Total volume | 0.375 mL | 0.3 mL |
Strength | 20 mg/mL | 25 mg/mL |
Reminder of insulin discontinuations
NovoNordisk are rationalising their product range and discontinuing three insulins from the 3ml penfill range. Stock of the Penmix 30 penfill 3 ml was depleted in April 2026.
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops selling to wholesalers |
Insulin aspart with insulin aspart 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 |
Please transition patients to a suitable alternative. There is information regarding use of insulin and changes in the supply of various insulins. NZSSD PDF -external link
Widening of Access: rosuvastatin removal of Special Authority
From 1 October 2026, the statin rosuvastatin will no longer require a Special Authority for funded access. This means it will be open listed and may be prescribed as a funded medicine to any New Zealander where clinically appropriate.
You can read the notification on the Pharmac website here
Please share this information with your colleagues and within 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.
Desmopressin acetate (Minirin) Tab 100 mcg
Levothyroxine (Mercury Pharma) Tab 50 mcg
Loratadine (Loratadine Noumed) Tab 10 mg
Lorazepam (Ativan) Tab 1 mg
Methylprednisolone (as sodium succinate) (Solu-Medrol-Act-O-Vial) Inj 40 mg vial
Olanzapine Inj 300 mg vial
Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursosan) Cap 250 mg
