2. Colour is off white for both strengths (previously pink and orange)
4. If the Avallon 240 mg per 5 ml paracetamol oral liquid is required, this would mean a temporary strength change to a 240 mg per 5 ml presentation. We are working on ways to support the health care sector if this is needed.
Key differences with the Avallon brand
We are working with the supplier to understand when the product will be back to usual supply
Other Laxatives: Supply issues
3. A smaller pack size, 200 ml glass bottles with a child resistant cap
A temporary supply of a paracetamol oral liquid 120 mg per 5 ml has been organised, and a 240 mg per 5 ml strength has been listed in case it is needed in a couple of months as a contingency option. Due to increased global demand, we were not able to source a 250 mg per 5 ml product, despite our strong preference for this.
Paracetamol2022
1. Flavour is strawberry vanilla for both strengths (previously strawberry and orange)
From 1 September 2022, we have listed a temporary new brand of paracetamol liquid.
Ourlevels.expert clinical advisors suggest that there may be suitable alternatives, including macrogol 3350 sachets (Molaxole) and lactulose. Where appropriate, please consider using alternatives while this supply issue persists.
The supplier of Laxsol tablets has advised of a delay in resupply of these tablets due to a shortage of raw materials and global freight issues. A delivery arrived in New Zealand on 30 August 2022. It will take time for the stock to clear quality assurance and make its way through the supply chain.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Supply issue update: Docusate sodium with sennosides (Laxsol) tablets and other laxatives
Supplies of Paracare (120 mg per 5 ml) are likely to run out during September. Supplies of Paracare Double Strength (250 mg per 5 ml) are likely to begin running out during October. To cover the gap before the new contracted brands can enter the market, we’ve listed the Avallon brand.
oral liquid: Brand change
We listed the Avallon products before Medsafe approval to ensure they were available. The 120 mg product has now received provisional Medsafe approval. It will show in the Schedule as s29 until the Schedule is updated for October. The supplier, Noumed, has also applied to Medsafe for provisional approval of the 240 mg presentation. We will update the website if this is approved. Restrictions will continue for these temporary brands to ensure everyone who needs paracetamol liquid can access this medicine. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers for the week ending 02 September
New Zealand's COVID 19 treatment portfolio
Pharmac has confirmed the access criteria for the first preventative medicine for COVID 19, tixagevimab and cilgavimab (branded as Evusheld), for severely immunocompromised New TixagevimabZealanders. with cilgavimab (Evusheld) Access Criteria Pharmac | New Zealand Government
docusate sodium (Coloxyl) 50 mg remain constrained, and the next shipment is due early September. Konsyl D and the alternative we listed, Macro Organic Psyllium Husk, are out of stock. Resupply of Macro Organic Psyllium Husk is expected mid September. Senna (Senokot) is out of stock. Stocks of Micolette are low.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
A resource about this change has been published by He Ako Hiringa. This includes information on dose equivalency between Accuretic and other funded treatment options.
Updated Access Criteria
Please prescribe normally and encourage patients not to stockpile medicines.
From August 2022, Accuretic supply in New Zealand will begin to be disrupted. People using Accuretic must get a new prescription to change to an alternative high blood pressure medicine.
You can read all about the available and soon to be available COVID 19 treatments on our website.
We understand that Laxsol supply disruption is leading to knock on stock shortages for other funded Supplieslaxatives.of
COVID 19 antiviral Access Criteria assessment tool
Access Criteria Assessment Tool
Pharmac website COVID 19 oral antivirals: Access Criteria
Managing supply of other medications
Pharmac has widened access to the three antiviral treatments it funds for treating early COVID 19: nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid), molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and remdesivir, an infusion treatment (Veklury). Always check the criteria before prescribing as updates may have been made.
COVID-19: Information for prescribers
Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets: Supply issue
We are working closely with all suppliers concerned to speed up freight to Aotearoa where possible, or to find alternative products.
There is more information on the Pharmac website about the issue and what support is available. We will continue to update healthcare professionals and the public through our website, adding relevant information as it becomes available.
Use the online tool to help identify who’s eligible for funded COVID 19 antiviral treatments.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Teva is changing their brand from Ethics Lisinopril to Teva Lisinopril. The capsules themselves remain unchanged. It is just different boxes and blister packs.
Lamotrigine brand information
Leuprorelin (Lucrin Depot 3 month) inj 11.25 mg: Supply issue
The bespoke exceptional circumstances process for alternative brands of lamotrigine closed on 1 September 2022. Current approvals will be extended indefinitely.
The supplier of Lucrin injections have advised that there's been a delay to their latest shipment of the 3 month depot product. We expect that normal supply of this medicine will resume in late September 2022.
The new packaging comes with a different pharmacodes. We anticipate listing the new pharmacodes for all 3 strengths from 1 October 2022.
From 1 September 2022, bromocriptine is not funded. We previously limited access to people who were taking bromocriptine before 1 March 2021.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
The supplier is out of stock of Gaviscon Infant. The next supplies are due in the country in the first week of October. Once arrived, they will still need to clear quality assurance and be distributed through the supply chain.
Gaviscon Infant Sachet 30s: Supply issue
Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
Pharmac, pharmacies and suppliers are working closely to maintain medicines supply, and to minimise disruption and fairly distribute any medicines in short supply.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
Patients who cannot access the 3 monthly injection, will need to talk to a health care professional about whether the Lucrin 1 month depot is a suitable alternative.
Bromocriptine: Access change and discontinuation
Lisinopril 5, 10 and 20 mg capsules: New look
Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
More information about Pharmac’s response to COVID 19 is available on the Pharmac website
Pharmac and Rex Medical have sourced an alternative product. This product was listed in the Schedule from 5 August 2022 as a section 29 medicine. The alternative is available to be ordered from Rex Medical.
Celecoxib (100 and 200 mg cap): Supply issue and new look
Boucher and Muir (BNM) has advised a possible shortage of its Intra uterine device ICU Choice TT380 Short. Current stock held by BNM is expected to last until the middle of September 2022, in addition to any stock in the supply chain. Two alternative products are listed from 1 September.
Due to delays with the manufacturer of levomepromazine hydrochloride, there is an out of stock of Levomepromazine hydrochloride (Nozinan) Inj 25 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule. Resupply of the registered brand of levomepromazine has been delayed and is not expected before mid September
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
FurtherPharmacare.information is available on the Pharmac website
Nutricia foods products: Supply issue affecting multiple products
look identical to and are the same as Celecoxib Pfizer capsules. The capsules have the same active ingredient and work in the body in the same way. They are both supplied by Aspen
Ipratropium nebuliser (500 mcg/2 ml): Supply issue
Levomepromazine (Nozinan) Injections: Supply issue
Intra-uterine device Choice TT380 Short: Supply issue
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
A2022.new
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
We have brought forward the listing of Celebrex from 1 August 2022. Entry of Celebrex into the market delayed until mid September due to a shipping delay. Stock of Celecoxib Pfizer is currently Celebrexavailable.capsules
section 29 brand of Nozinan is listed from 1 September 2022. Supplies of the previous alternative product (Neuraxpharm) were limited. The listing will remain for some time to allow for all product to move through the supply chain.
The funded brand of celecoxib is changing due to supply issues with the current brand, affecting both the 100 mg and 200 mg capsules.
Rex Medical have advised of a supply issue with ipratropium nebuliser solution. Rex Medical expects to return to normal supply with the registered product by November 2022.
Pharmac regularly updates its website with information about changes in brand and any current or emerging supply issues.
There has been an increase in the number of medicines supply issues that suppliers are faced with. In most cases, COVID-19 has been the cause of this impact on medicine supply chains. We know that COVID-19 is likely to continue to have global impacts on medicine manufacturing and supply chains for some time to Forcome.up-to-date information about supply issues please check the Pharmac website.
We want you! Expressions of Interest for Pharmac’s Advisory Committees
This e mail message and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message.
Check the Pharmac website regularly for updates on products.
This information is also sent to Pharmacists who work in General Practice.
Keep up to date on supply issues and brand changes
Pharmac’s Advisory Committees provide us with specialist knowledge and expertise within specific clinical areas, such as diabetes, cancer, and mental health. Advisory Committees usually meet once a year, but maybe more or less frequently. You can find more information about Advisory Committees roles and responsibilities on the Pharmac website
If you are interested in being involved in Pharmac’s clinical advice network, please send an email to advisorycommittees@pharmac.govt.nz letting us know your specific clinical area(s) of interest.
Pharmac is looking for new members for our Advisory Committees. Do you work in primary care and bring a commitment to and understanding of te Tiriti in healthcare?
You can find information about current issues on the Pharmac website
Most of the supply issues affecting Nutricia special foods products have been resolved. There will however continue to be supply issues for some products throughout 2022.