Supply Update - 20 April 2026
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Start your week with fresh medicine supply notice news! We’re moving this email to a Monday mailout.
Conflict in the Middle East
Suppliers are working closely with Pharmac to reduce any disruption to people in New Zealand. Where issues arise, we will communicate them on our website and through this email.
New medicine supply notices
Droperidol inj 2.5 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule (Pharmacode 2690543) the supplier is out of stock. Resupply is expected before the end of the month.
Imiquimod cream (Pharmacode: 2715775) There have been delays to getting the latest shipment of imiquimod to New Zealand because of the Middle East conflict. An alternative is listed and available. A patient flyer can be downloaded from the website.
Salbutamol (Ventolin) Inj 1 mg per ml (Pharmacode: 257923) Limited stock of this
strength is available. The 500 mcg/ml strength can be used as an alternative. Resupply expected early May 2026.
Have your say…
Health New Zealand and Pharmac are proposing to expand the range of funded medicines community pharmacies can provide directly to people.
Proposal to expand pharmacy services (Consultation closes 30 April)
Updated medicine supply notices
Dexamfetamine (Noumed) 5 mg tab (Pharmacode: 2647516) Stock of the listed alternative has been released to wholesalers by the supplier
Iloprost (Vebulis) nebulisers (Pharmacode: 2643006) Stock has been released to wholesalers.
We’ve heard that some pharmacies are having difficulty accessing strengths/brands that are listed as available. Please follow up with your wholesaler, this is the stock that is available with the supplier.
Concerta: Only the 54 mg is available
Ritalin: All strengths available
Rubifen: All strengths available
Sandoz XR: All strengths available
Teva: All strengths available.
Mometasone furoate (Elocon) 0.1% Due to the earlier supply issues, the supplier is now out of stock of the 15 g pack size of ointment and cream, as well as the lotion.
Nifuran brand is changing to Nitrofurantoin Clinect Nitrofurantoin Clinect (Pharmacode 2723670) will be listed from 1 May 2026. Nifuran 50 mg (Pharmacode: 254738) and 100 mg (Pharmacode: 254754) will be delisted 1 November 2026. Patient flyer available on the website.
Nutricia: supply issue: The following are out of stock:
PKU GMPro Ultra Lemonade (Pharmacode: 2657201)
PKU Lophlex powder Orange flavour (Pharmacode: 2593890)
PKU Lophlex liquid Juicy berries (Pharmacode: 2470586)
Loprofin spaghetti (Pharmacode: 475963) and rice (Pharmacode: 2218259)
Phenytoin sodium (Dilantin) 30 mg capsules (Pharmacode: 2619458) The latest shipment is now available to order and stock is being expedited to pharmacies around the country.
Progesterone (Utrogestan) 100 mg capsule (Pharmacode: 2086905). From 1 May 2026, the Schedule will be updated for monthly dispensing.
Sodium cromoglicate (Ralicrom) Cap 100 mg (Pharmacode: 2628295) Stock of the S29 alternative has run out. Stock of the registered product is expected to land in NZ on 23 April. The supplier will expedite its release to market. Anyone affected by this outage will need to talk to their prescriber about alternative treatments.
Ticagrelor (Tab 90 mg) (Pharmacode: 2638770) Stock has arrived and been released to wholesalers.
Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursosan) (Pharmacode: 2397528) Stock has been released to wholesalers.
Varenicline (Champix) brand change to Pharmacor The new brand, Pharmacor, has now arrived and patients can be moved to it from Champix. A patient flyer is available on the website
Resolved issues
no resolved issues this week
Note: Supply issues are marked as resolved when the supplier has product available. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu.
Consultations & Notifications
Proposal to expand pharmacy services (consultation closes 30 April)
Consultation on possible brand changes through the annual tender (consultation closes 4 May)
Review of the Exceptional Circumstances Framework (consultation closes: 7 June 2026)
Monthly updates