Update for Primary Care Prescribers
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 21 August 2026. It includes information on:
Discontinuations
Discontinuation: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tablets
The supplier Sanofi has notified Pharmac of the discontinuation of sodium valproate (Epilim brand) 100mg crushable tablets. This is a global discontinuation. Sanofi expects that stock will be available until the end of November 2026. Please transition affected patients to an alternative treatment as soon as possible.
Epilim Sugar-Free Liquid 200mg/5ml and Epilim Syrup 200mg/5ml are available and may provide a suitable alternative for some patients.
For more information see Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website
New updates
Supply Issue Reminder: Trusteel Infusion Sets
There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets (used with the Tandem insulin pumps) due to manufacturing issues. This disruption is likely to continue for the remainder of 2026 and affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products.
Uptake of Autosoft infusion sets remains low despite previous communications encouraging suitable patients to transition. As a result, demand on limited TruSteel stock remains high.
There will not be enough TruSteel stock available to support current demand if current usage patterns continue. To make sure there is enough supply for people who cannot transition to an alternate Autosoft product, it is important that patients who can safely and appropriately use an Autosoft infusion set are transitioned as soon as possible.
NZSSD have advised that most people currently using TruSteel infusion sets will likely be able to switch to Autosoft infusion sets. Autosoft infusion sets are funded by Pharmac and are compatible with Tandem pumps. NZSSD have provided clinical advice identifying patient groups who they recommended should be prioritised for the limited TruSteel stock.
A new prescription will be required for patients to transition to an Autosoft infusion set.
Autosoft infusion sets have different insertion and priming requirements from TruSteel products. Patients will need training to learn how to use them correctly. The supplier has information and resources on their website.
Ongoing supply issue: oestradiol 100mcg patch (Estradot brand)
Oestradiol 100mcg patches (Estradot brand) are currently out of stock. We expect Estradot 100 mcg to be available again by early September.
The Estradot 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg strengths are not currently affected. All strengths of the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand are available.
Pharmac also funds other oestradiol treatments including gel (Estrogel) and tablets (Estrofem, Progynova), which are not affected by the supply issue and may be suitable for some people.
For further details, refer to the Pharmac supply notices
Supply issue: Naltrexone (Naltraccord brand) tab 50 mg
Teva, the supplier, has advised that Naltraccord tab 50mg stock is limited and may not be adequate to maintain supply until the new Lupin brand is listed (funded) on 1 November 2026.The alternate brand is another Lupin product, Naltrexone-GH 50 mg film-coated tablet Section 29, and will be funded from 1 September 2026. The alternate brand is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: Montelukast Viatris tab 4mg
Viatris the supplier has notified Pharmac that delays will result in a shortage of Montelukast Viatris tab 4mgAn alternate brand Montelukast Sandoz tab 4mg has been sourced and will be listed (funded) from 1 September 2026.
The alternate brand Montelukast Sandoz tab 4mg is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Both brands are a chewable, cherry flavoured tablet. Both brands contain aspartame.
There is a change in colour from a white to off white oval tablet to a pink oval tablet.
Coversyl tablets change of salt: Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine
Due to global alignment and to ensure continuity of supply, Coversyl containing perindopril erbumine will be replaced with Coversyl containing perindopril arginine.
The new Perindopril arginine tablets will be listed (funded) from 1 September 2026
Please transition your patients currently on Coversyl 2 mg and 8 mg tablets to the equivalent perindopril arginine (Coversyl 2.5 mg and 10 mg respectively) from 1 September.
Coversyl 4 mg tablets will remain available longer. Please transition these patients to the equivalent Coversyl 5mg tablets from October.
Pharmacist substitution between erbumine and arginine strengths is not possible due to different labelled strengths.
Perindopril erbumine and perindopril arginine salts are bioequivalent and interchangeable. The active moiety (perindopril) remains unchanged.
Because the two salts have different molecular weights, the labelled tablet strengths will change, while delivering the same amount of active perindopril.
More information, images, and a downloadable patient information leaflet can be found Coversyl on Pharmac website
Dose equivalence table
Current product (perindopril erbumine) | To | New product (perindopril arginine) |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 2 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 2.5 mg |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 4 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 5 mg |
1 tablet COVERSYL® 8 mg |
| 1 tablet COVERSYL® 10 mg |
Reminder of insulin discontinuations:
NovoNordisk are rationalising their product range and discontinuing three insulins from the 3ml penfill range. Please transition patients to a suitable alternative. There is information regarding use of insulin and changes in the supply of various insulins. NZSSD PDF -external link
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops sellingto wholesalers |
Insulin aspart with insulin aspart protamine | NovoMix30 | FlexPen 3 ml prefilled disposable pen | End of 2026 |
Insulin neutral | Actrapid | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
Insulin isophane | Protaphane | Penfill 3ml | End of 2026 |
Eli Lilly are discontinuing 3 insulins in the 10ml vial presentation. The 3ml penfill presentations remain available. Please transition patients to a suitable alternative.
Insulin Type | Brand | Presentation | Date supplier stops selling to wholesalers |
Insulin lispro | Humalog | Inj 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | This was the end July 2026 |
Insulin isophane | Humulin NPH | Inj human 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | End August 2026 |
Insulin isophane with insulin neutral | Humulin 30/70 | Inj human with neutral insulin 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial | This was end of June 2026 |
Resolved supply issues
Supply issues are marked as resolved when stock arrives in the country and is released to wholesalers. After this, it can take another 1-2 weeks for pharmacies to receive stock, depending on where they are located around New Zealand.
Clotrimazole (Clomazol) Vaginal crm 1% & 2 % with applicators
Epoetin alfa (Binocrit) Inj 3,000 iu in 0.3 ml syringe
Itraconazole (Kent) Oral liquid 10 mg per ml
Oestradiol valerate (Progynova) Tab 2 mg
