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Pharmac Updates

  • 3 hours ago
  • 4 min read


We are writing to inform you of several upcoming changes.

 

Supply Issues:


  1. Tetracycline 250mg tablets 

  2. Erythromycin (as lactobionate) inj 1g vial

  3. Testosterone undecanoate 40 mg capsules

 

Discontinuations:


  1. Cardinol LA cap 160mg  

  2. Asthalin nebuliser soln, salbutamol 1 mg/ ml, 2.5 ml ampoule

  3. Efavirenz tab 600 mg)

 

1.Supply Issue: Tetracycline 250mg tablets (Tetracycline Accord)

There is a supply issue affecting tetracycline 250mg tablets (Tetracycline Accord).  To ensure continuity of supply, from 1 August 2026, Pharmac will list (fund) an alternate product Tetracycline AA 250 mg capsules.

 

The alternate brand, Tetracycline AA, is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29 of the Medicines Act. As there is currently no Medsafe approved product listed on the Schedule, Section 29A of the Medicines Act does not apply. Please note the alternate brand, Tetracycline AA, is a 250 mg capsule rather than a tablet.

 

The funded indication and subsidy restrictions remain unchanged. Tetracycline is subsidised only when prescribed for Helicobacter pylori eradication and the prescription is endorsed accordingly. 

 

2.Supply Issue: Erythromycin (as lactobionate) inj 1 g vial (Erythrocin IV)

There is a supply issue affecting erythromycin (as lactobionate) inj 1 g vial (Erythrocin IV). To ensure continuity of supply, from 1 August 2026, Pharmac has listed alternate products erythromycin 1 g vial (Amdipharm) and erythromycin 500 mg vial (Eritrotex) on the Community Schedule. Please note a 500 mg vial is being listed as one of the alternative products, stock inventory should be managed accordingly.

 

Both alternate products, erythromycin 1 g vial (Amdipharm) and erythromycin 500 mg vial (Eritrotex), are not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. This has implications for funded supply on BSO and rural PSO – see Medsafe’s website.

 

3. Supply Issue: testosterone undecanoate 40 mg capsules (Steril-Gene)

Pharmac is managing a supply issue affecting testosterone undecanoate 40 mg capsules (Steril-Gene). Stock is expected to become limited before the next shipment arrives in late September and there may be a brief period when stock is unavailable.

 

Pharmac are working with the supplier to bring further stock into New Zealand as soon as possible. However, if your patient is unable to access stock, please consider a suitable alternative product.

 

Pharmac also funds other testosterone treatments which may be suitable alternatives for many people. These include a testosterone transdermal gel (Testogel) and testosterone injections (Sustanon). All alternate products will require a new prescription.

 

Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available –  Testosterone undecanoate (Steril-Gene) 40 mg capsules: Supply issue

 

4. Discontinuation: Cardinol LA cap 160mg


Pharmac has sourced and funded an alternate brand - Propranolol Lupin S29 Cap long-acting 160 mg       

                                                 

Key messages:


  • The supplier Viatris has discontinued supply of Cardinol LA cap 160mg in NZ

  • An alternative Propranolol Lupin S29 will be listed from 1 August 2026

  • The Lupin brand is dual labelled with English and French text.

  • From 1 August 2026 stat dispensing will be removed from propranolol LA cap 160mg. Monthly dispensing will help to preserve stock until the supply chain is stable.

  • The alternate brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29 of the Medicines Act.

  • Our webpage includes more information -  Cardinol LA 160mg discontinuation on Pharmac website

 

5. Discontinuation: Asthalin nebuliser soln, salbutamol 1 mg/ ml, 2.5 ml ampoule

Alternate listing: UK Cipla nebuliser soln, salbutamol 1 mg/ ml, 2.5 ml ampoule

 

  • The supplier can no longer supply the Asthalin brand of salbutamol 1mg / ml to New Zealand.

  • An alternative brand UK Cipla is funded and available. This is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.

  • Section 29A requires the patient to be known at the time of supply. On this basis, supply on a Practitioner’s Supply Order is not generally possible. However, there are exceptional circumstances for some emergency medicines, when holding an emergency supply in stock may be essential for patient safety. Medsafe website PSO information

  • Asthalin 2 mg / ml has been reserved for ambulance use, but the supplier has procured additional stock which should be available for pharmacy and hospital ordering in August. Pharmac will provide further updates in due course on the long-term supply outlook for Asthalin 2 mg / ml.

  • A webpage is available - Salbutamol nebules on Pharmac website

 

6.Discontinuation: efavirenz tablets (Efavirenz Milpharm 600 mg)


This is a reminder that this medicine will be discontinued and no longer funded from 1 November 2026. We expect stock to run out September 2026.

 

Anyone still using efavirenz will need to change to an alternative funded antiretroviral medicine. If you require NHI numbers to identify patients on efavirenz, please email Data-Enquiries data-enquiries@health.govt.nz


Clinical advice indicates that there are suitable funded alternatives available for people living with HIV currently taking efavirenz.

 

Please share this information:

Please share this information with your colleagues and within your networks.

 

If you have any questions regarding this supply issue, please contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.

 

Ngā mihi,

Pharmac Implementation Team


Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga

PO Box 10-254, Wellington 6140 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington 6011P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz



 
 
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