Pharmac Updates
Please see below updates from Pharmac.
Supply issue
Pimafucort Ointment
Pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg (Vexazone)
Vannair Metered dose inhalers (budesonide/eformoterol)
Brand change
Coversyl tabs salt change
Discontinuation
Epilim tab 100 mg crushable date extended
1.Supply issue: Pimafucort Ointment
There is an upcoming long-term supply issue affecting Pimafucort ointment.
The supplier has advised that due to a significant manufacturing issue affecting an ingredient used in the product, stock is expected to be unavailable from mid-November 2026. The out-of-stock period is currently expected to last at least 12 months, with stock not expected to return until 2028.
There is no funded alternative that contains the same combination of ingredients as Pimafucort ointment. However, Pharmac funds a range of funded and partially funded topical corticosteroid, antifungal, and antibacterial products, including both individual ingredients and combination products.
Currently listed products on the Community Schedule can be found at the below links to the Pharmaceutical Schedule:
*Note: Hydrocortisone 1% ointment is not listed as a proprietary product, however, this can be compounded by a pharmacy, and this will be funded.
Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Pimafucort ointment (Hydrocortisone with natamycin and neomycin): Long-term supply issue.
2. Supply issue: pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg (Vexazone)
Due to an issue at the manufacturing site, there is a supply constraint affecting pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg (Vexazone brand). Vexazone tab 45 mg are not affected.
From 1 November 2026, Pharmac will fund the Rising brand of pioglitazone tab 15 mg and tab 30 mg
The alternate Rising brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Vexazone is not expected to be available until 2027. Our webpage will continue to be updated Pioglitazone on Pharmac website
3.Supply issue: Vannair Metered dose inhalers (Budesonide 100 mcg with eformoterol fumarate 6 mcg, Budesonide 200 mcg with eformoterol fumarate 6 mcg)
AstraZenca the supplier has notified Pharmac that there has been delays in the shipments of Vannair 100/6 and Vannair 200/6 metered dose inhalers (MDIs). Patient impact is not expected at this time.
Vannair 100/6 – the shipment has now arrived in New Zealand and should be coming through the supply chain, and available for prescribing
Vannair 200/6 – the shipment is expected early November. Current stock across wholesalers and pharmacies should be sufficient to supply the market until the shipment arrives.
The situation is being closely monitored, and Pharmac will send out further communications as soon as possible, if patient impact is expected.
Pharmac is working with the supplier to consider suitable alternatives if further delays occur.
1.Reminder of Coversyl tablets change of salt 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 website
We have asked pharmacies to stock both salts. Perindopril erbumine can provide continuity for patients with repeat prescriptions, while perindopril arginine can be allocated to new prescriptions.
1.Discontinuation update: Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets
We have secured additional supply of Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets through to December next year (2027).
We are working to identify alternative options for people who are unable to transition to other funded treatments. In the meantime, the supplier has confirmed it can continue to meet current demand while this work is underway.
Where appropriate we encourage clinicians to support their patients using Epilim Crushable 100 mg tablets to transition to funded alternatives to ensure stock remains available for the people who need it.
We will continue to provide updates on our website as further information becomes available. Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
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If you have any questions regarding these updates, please contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Implementation Team
Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington
P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz
