Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 9 October 2026
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 9 October 2026. It includes information on:
New updates
Supply issue: Sildenafil (Vedafil) 50mg tablets
There is a supply issue affecting sildenafil (Vedafil) 50mg tablets. Pharmac previously funded a Section 29 alternate brand, Sildenafil (Amarox), in August this year. Stock of this brand is now very low and is expected to be depleted by mid-October.
To ensure stock remains available for people requiring funded treatment, from 8 October 2026, Pharmac listed (funded) a second alternate brand, Sildenafil (Umedica). As Sildenafil (Umedica) is not a Medsafe approved brand, it must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Pharmac is aware that sildenafil is prescribed for both the funded and private (unfunded) market. Given the limited availability of sildenafil 50 mg tablets during this supply disruption, the listed Section 29A alternative products have been funded to help maintain access for people receiving funded sildenafil treatment (via Special Authority). We strongly encourage prescribers to prioritise prescribing the Section 29 brands only for the Pharmac funded population.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets: Supply issue
Supply issue: venlafaxine 75 mg capsules (Enlafax XR)There is a supply issue affecting venlafaxine (Enlafax XR) 75mg capsules. Current stock is expected to run out by mid-October, before the next shipment arrives. To support continuity of treatment, from 8 October 2026, Pharmac will fund an alternate brand, Venlofex 75 mg capsules. This is not a Medsafe approved brand and must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. During the supply issue period, availability may vary between pharmacies depending on remaining stocks of Enlafax XR and access to the Section 29 alternative product. Supply of the registered brand, Enlafax XR, is currently expected to resume in late October to early November 2026.
Supply issue: Hydrocortisone acetate (Colifoam) rectal foam 10%
There is an upcoming supply issue affecting Colifoam (hydrocortisone acetate 10% rectal foam) due to a delay with a key component used in the manufacture of the applicator.
We expect the supply issue to last several weeks. Resupply of Colifoam is currently anticipated between late October and early November.
Cortifoam (hydrocortisone acetate 10% rectal foam) will be listed (funded) from 8 October 2026 as an alternative. Cortifoam is the US version of Colifoam and has same formulation.
Proctofoam (hydrocortisone acetate 1% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1% topical aerosol foam) is also available. A new prescription would be required as it is a different formulation.
Both Cortifoam and Proctofoam are not Medsafe approved medicines and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Brand change: Dimethicone cream 10% pump bottle
EVARA Dimethicone Cream 10% pump bottle (480 g) was funded from 1 October 2026 and will be the main funded brand. This will replace healthE Dimethicone cream 10% pump bottle (460 g).
This is a change of pack size from 460 g to 480 g. There is no change in volume, as both the incumbent and new brand are supplied in 500 ml pump bottles. The difference reflects a slight increase in product density. Because of the difference in total weight, patients may need a new prescription to cover repeats.
Discontinuations Discontinuation: Daonil (glibenclamide) tab 5 mg
The supplier Sanofi is discontinuing Daonil tab 5 mg globally. Sanofi has confirmed that they will continue supplying stock until February 2027.
Please ensure that patients are transitioned to a suitable alternative treatment.
There may be a small number of patients that are not able to transition to other treatment. Please consider the NPPA pathway (Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment) for accessing glibenclamide tab 5 mg for these patients.
Discontinuation: Flamazine (silver sulfadiazine cream 1%)
The supplier of Flamazine (silver sulfadiazine cream 1%) has notified that this product will be discontinued.
Supply of Flamazine for retail use ended in September 2026. The supplier expects to cease supplying stock for prescription use in approximately December 2026 or January 2027.
Pharmac is working with suppliers to secure ongoing supply of silver sulfadiazine cream when Flamazine stock is exhausted. We will provide an update once we have further information.
Reminders
Discontinuation Reminder: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tabletsSanofi expects that stock will be available until the end of November 2026. Please transition affected patients as soon as possible. For more information Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
Coversyl tablets change of salt: Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine Please transition your patients currently on Coversyl 2 mg and 8 mg tablets to the equivalent perindopril arginine strengths (Coversyl 2.5 mg and 10 mg respectively) from now.
Coversyl 4 mg tablets will remain available longer. Please transition these patients to the equivalent Coversyl 5mg tablets from late October. Coversyl on Pharmac websitePerindopril erbumine can provide continuity for patients with repeat prescriptions, while perindopril arginine can be allocated to new prescriptions.
