Te Whatu Ora - COVID-19 Care in the Community update for primary care

o Key differences with the Avallon brand ▪ Flavour is strawberry-vanilla for both strengths (previously strawberry and orange) ▪ Colour is off-white for both strengths (previously pink and orange) ▪ A smaller pack size, 200 ml glass bottles with a child-resistant cap ▪ 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. PHARMAC are working on ways to support the health care sector if this is needed. o The 120 mg product has Medsafe approval. Restrictions will continue for these temporary brands to ensure everyone who needs paracetamol liquid can access this medicine. PHARMAC apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. o PHARMAC will communicate further with the sector if the 240 mg product is required. • COVID-19: Information for prescribers o 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. o Use the online tool to help identify who’s eligible for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments. Access Criteria Assessment Tool o Cefuroxime axetil (Zinnat) ▪ Discontinuation. Due to a significant decline in usage of this product in Aotearoa, GSK (the supplier) has advised that it will discontinue cefuroxime (Zinnat) tablets. Existing stock of Zinnat tab is expected to be exhausted 31 August 2023. Zinnat tab will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule 1 March 2024. • Pregabalin 25 mg capsules: supply issue o There is a supply issue affecting the pregabalin 25 mg capsules. The supplier has advised that due to delays at the manufacturing site, exacerbated by some freight challenges in Aotearoa, they may have a brief out of stock of pregabalin 25 mg capsules. o There is still stock in the supply chain with wholesalers. Aspen expects the next delivery to arrive in early October 2022. It will take time for the shipment to clear quality assurance and make its way through the supply chain to pharmacies. • Ondansetron dispersible tablets 4 mg and 8 mg: Supply issue o Due to freight delays, there may be a brief out of stock of ondansetron 4 mg and 8 mg dispersible tablets from