16 December 2019 Availability of alternative histamine-2 antagonist (famotidine) as a result of ranitidine recall This letter contains an update to primary care healthcare professionals regarding supply of ranitidine and the availability of alternative treatments. Medsafe issued a safety alert on 23 September 2019 (updated 21 October 2019) regarding medicines containing ranitidine and a potential impurity, Nnitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This alert contains information for consumers, caregivers and healthcare professionals on the risks of this impurity. To view this webpage click here. Due to the safety recall of medicines containing ranitidine, the Suppliers of ranitidine products are no longer suppling ranitidine products. For the majority of community patients, proton pump inhibitors (eg omeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole) are likely to be suitable funded alternatives. However, we are aware that there may be some patients who are/were taking ranitidine who are intolerant to proton pump inhibitors. PHARMAC has secured supply of another H2 antagonist, famotidine, from Link Pharmaceuticals, which may be a suitable alternative for these patients. ·
From 1 January 2020, Link Pharmaceutical’s Famotidine Hovid brand of famotidine tab 20 mg will be funded
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From 1 March 2020, Link Pharmaceutical’s Famotidine Hovid brand of famotidine tab 40 mg will be funded
Please note that Famotidine Hovid has not been approved by Medsafe, so it would need to be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981. Details regarding the use and supply of unapproved medicines is available from the Medsafe website, If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz. Kind regards,
Dr Peter Murray Deputy Medical Director PHARMAC