More information can be found on the Pharmac website.
We are advised that alternative funded treatments might be suitable for some patients who are using lorazepam for longer periods. These may include diazepam and clonazepam. Some clinicians may consider temporarily transitioning patients to half a 2.5 mg tablet, although this represents a 25% increase in dose per tablet. (The 2.5 mg tablets are scored for simpler halving.) This will require a new prescription. We will keep the Medicine Notices section of the Pharmac website up to date as more information about this supply issue becomes available.
Supply issue update: Docusate sodium with sennosides (Laxsol) tablets
Our expert clinical advisors suggest that there may be suitable alternatives, including macrogol 3350 sachets (Molaxole), lactulose and bisacodyl. Where appropriate, please consider using alternatives while this supply issue persists.
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. Clinicians should move their patients to a suitable alternative medicine as soon as possible. We really appreciate the support that we know both clinicians and pharmacists will provide to their Apatients.resource about this change has been published by He Ako Hiringa. This includes information on dose equivalency between Accuretic and other funded treatment options.
To help distribute the remaining supply of lorazepam 1 mg tablets as fairly as possible throughout New Zealand, we have asked pharmacists to dispense a maximum of 7 days’ supply at a time.
The supplier of Laxsol tablets has advised of continued supply challenges due to a shortage of raw materials and global freight issues. The supplier has noted that further stock can be made available in early August 2022. However, we expect that it will be depleted very quickly. We also understand that this supply disruption is leading to knock on stock shortages for the contracted Coloxyl brand.
Lorazepam 1 mg tablets: Supply issue
Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets: Supply issue
Alternative funded treatments
The supplier of lorazepam 1 mg tablets (brand name Ativan) has notified Pharmac of a supply issue affecting this medicine. The supplier has advised Pharmac that supply is not expected to resume until the end of August 2022.
Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers for the week ending 05 August 2022
Dispensing restriction
Pharmac website COVID 19 oral antivirals: Access Criteria
More information can be found on the Pharmac website
Access Criteria Assessment Tool
Dexamfetamine 5 mg tablets: brand change
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.
Pharmac, pharmacies and suppliers are working closely to maintain medicines supply, and to minimise disruption and fairly distribute any medicines in short supply.
New Zealand's COVID 19 treatment portfolio COVID 19 antiviral Access Criteria assessment tool
More information about Pharmac’s response to COVID 19 is available on the Pharmac website
The Aspen brand is not approved by Medsafe and will need to be prescribed and supplied in accordance with section 29 of the Medicines Act
Please prescribe normally and encourage patients not to stockpile medicines.
Shingles vaccine: Shingrix will be the new funded brand
You can read all about the available and soon to be available COVID 19 treatments on our website.
COVID-19: Information for prescribers Updated Access Criteria
Managing supply of other medications
Use the online tool to help identify who’s eligible for funded COVID 19 antiviral treatments.
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.
Due to API’s withdrawal from the New Zealand market, the ‘PSM’ brand of dexamfetamine sulfate is expected to begin running out during August 2022, and people will need to change brands to continue with their treatment. We have sourced a short term supply of an alternative brand, Aspen dexamfetamine, which is available and will be listed from 1 August 2022. We are working hard to secure a long term supply and will keep you updated about this.
He Ako Hiringa website Transitioning people off Accuretic
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) 250 mg capsules: Supply issue and temporary brand change
The Essential Ethosuximide packaging and capsules look different, but each capsule has the same amount of active ingredients as Zarontin. Further information is available on the Pharmac website
The funded brand of celecoxib is changing due to supply issues with the current brand, affecting both the 100 mg and 200 mg capsules.
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 is expected to last until the middle of September 2022, in addition to any stock in the supply chain. BNM have sought advice from Te Pātaka Whaioranga Pharmac on bringing in a similar device that is supplied in Australia. If confirmed, it would be listed in time for 1 September 2022. Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
Zostavax shingles vaccine is being discontinued. We are pleased to have secured an alternative brand of the zoster vaccine, Shingrix. Both brands are listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2022, but the Shingrix vaccine will only be made available for funded patients once all stock of Zostavax has been used. We expect this to be in August or September 2022.
From 1 August 2022, a temporary brand, Essential Ethosuximide will be listed to cover an out of stock of Zarontin brand ethosuximide 250 mg capsules. We are advised that Zarontin branded 250 mg capsules (supplied by Clinect) will be out of stock from August 2022 until January 2023.
Essential Ethosuximide is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and supplied in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Celebrex capsules 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 FurtherPharmacare.information is available on the Pharmac website
Celebrex brand of celecoxib will be listed from 1 August 2022. This brand change was noted in a decision dated 13 April 2022 and has been brought forward to cover the supply issue.
Intra uterine device – Choice TT380 Short: Supply issue
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Sanofi Aventis are discontinuing supply of roxithromycin (known as Rulide D) to Aotearoa New Zealand. Current supply of Rulide D was expected to be exhausted in July 2022.
Roxithromycin tab dispersible 50 mg, (Rulide D): Discontinuation
Pred Forte eye drops (Prednisolone acetate): Supply issue
The supplier has advised us of a temporary delay to re supply of Pred Forte eye drops. We expect stock to be available early in the week beginning 8 August 2022. Due to on going constraints in the supply chain, it may take a little longer for supplies to reach pharmacies.
Pharmacy Health brand bisacodyl stock is depleted. In May 2022, we notified that Viatris would be the new supplier of 5 mg bisacodyl tablets. They were funded from 1 August 2022. Viatris has informed us that they expect supply to resume by early to mid August 2022.
Ora Blend, Ora Blend SF, and Ora Plus have also experienced supply issues. We understand supplies should be available again in the week beginning 8 August 2022. Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Compound hydroxybenzoate solution: Supply issue
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
There are other fully funded macrolide antibiotic alternatives available for this medicine.
Clonazepam oral drops (Rivotril): Supply issue
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Bisacodyl Tab 5 mg (Pharmacy Health): supply issue
Stock has arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand but still needs to clear quality assurance. We recommend pharmacies check with wholesalers on availability of this product. Further information is available on the Pharmac website
The supplier has advised that there has been some constraint on the supply of clonazepam oral drops. The issue with clonazepam oral drops is expected to be resolved shortly. We are not expecting a patient/prescriber level impact at this stage.
Pharmac has become aware of an out of stock with compound hydroxybenzoate. The supplier advises they have sufficient stock sitting at their warehouse. It is awaiting test results back so it can be released from the quality assurance process. Midwest expect to receive the test results on Thursday, 4 August 2022. They will fill all existing back orders as soon as it is released. It may take a few days for the supply to reach pharmacies.
Further information is available on the Pharmac website
The supplier has advised us of a temporary delay affecting re supply of Ural sachets. The next shipment is expected to be available early August.
AFT, the supplier, have advised that Locorten Vioform is out of stock. Ear drops are not available as there were issues with recent shipments. We received advice that Kenacomb brand ear drops were a suitable alternative. They are a Medsafe registered product. Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Flumetasone pivalate (Locorten Vioform) ear drops: Supply issue
The supplier has advised of a supply issue with ipratropium nebuliser solution. The next shipment requires Medsafe approval because of a variation in the manufacturing process for this product. The approval process is underway. Pharmac and Rex Medical are exploring alternatives with other suppliers if there is any delay in approving or dispatching the stock. Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
Olsalazine 250 mg capsule (Dipentum) has been out of stock since February 2021. From 1 August 2022, we are listing an alternative brand of the 500 mg strength olsalazine tablets to support the continued outage of 250 mg tablets. The new brand is Atnahs Olsalazine. This product is not Medsafe approved, as such it needs to be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicines Act. Further information is available on the Pharmac website.
Ipratropium nebuliser (500 mcg/2 ml): Supply issue
Olsalazine 250 mg and 500 mg capsule (Dipentum): Supply issue
Risedronate tab 35 mg: Supply issue
The supplier has advised Pharmac that they are out of stock of risedronate 35 mg tablets. Sandoz have advised that they expect to be able to resupply wholesalers by mid August 2022. It may take longer for supplies to reach pharmacies. Further information is available on the Pharmac website
Further information is available on the Pharmac website. Sodium citro tartrate (Ural) Grans: Supply issue
Nutricia foods products: Supply issue affecting multiple products Most of the supply issues affecting Nutricia special foods products have been resolved. There will continue to be supply issues for some products throughout the first half of 2022. Check the Pharmac website regularly for updates on products. Keep up to date on supply issues and brand changes Pharmac regularly updates its website with information about changes in brand and any current or emerging supply issues. You can find information about current issues on the Pharmac website. We want you! Expressions of Interest for Pharmac’s Advisory Committees 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? Pharmac’s Advisory Committees provide us with specialist knowledge and expertise within specific clinical areas, such as diabetes, cancer, and mental health. 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.