Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers for the week ending 22 July 2022 Lorazepam 1 mg tablets: Supply issue The supplier of lorazepam 1 mg tablets (brand name Ativan) has notified Pharmac of a supply issue affecting this medicine. There is currently a two-week supply of lorazepam 1 mg tablets in Aotearoa New Zealand. The supplier has advised Pharmac that supply is not expected to resume until early to mid-August 2022.
Dispensing restriction To help distribute the remaining supply of lorazepam 1 mg tablets as fairly as possible throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, we have asked pharmacists to dispense a maximum of 7 days’ supply at a time.
Alternative funded treatments 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.
Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets: Supply issue 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 patients. 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. He Ako Hiringa website - Transitioning people off Accuretic 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.
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