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Pharmac Updates - 8 October 2026

1 minute ago
3 min read

Please see below updates from Pharmac.

 

Supply issue


  1. Sildenafil (Vedafil) 50mg tablets.

  2. Hydrocortisone acetate (Colifoam) rectal foam 10%

  3. Venlafaxine 75 mg capsules (Enlafax XR)

 

Brand change


  1. Dimethicone cream 10% pump bottle

 

Discontinuation


  1. Daonil (glibenclamide) tab 5 mg

  2. Flamazine (silver sulfadiazine cream 1%)

 

1.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 Section 29 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.

  • Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets: Supply issue

 

Pharmac is aware that sildenafil is prescribed for both the funded market (via Special Authority) 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 Pharmac funded sildenafil treatment. We strongly encourage prescribers to prioritise prescribing the Section 29 brands only for the Pharmac funded population.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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.

 

1.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 EVARA Dimethicone Cream 10% pump bottle (480 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 increase in total weight, patients may need a new prescription to cover repeats.

 

1.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.

 

2.Discontinuation:  Flamazine (silver sulfadiazine cream 1%)


  • The supplier of Flamazine cream has notified that it will be discontinuing this product.                                      

  • 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 once Flamazine stock is exhausted. We will provide an update once we have further information.

 

Please share this information:

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

 

If you have any questions regarding these updates, 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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