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Medicine Supply Issues

 

This section lists medicines for which there is a supply change or problem.  Where known, information is given on how long they will be out of stock, or where an alternative can be sourced from.

• Pertofran (desipramine) 25mg tablets - January 2007.  Novartis has advised that this product will be discontinued from February 2007.  Contact details for Novartis in New Zealand: phone (09) 361 8100 or fax (09) 361 8181.
   
• Largactil Forte oral suspension (chlorpromazine embonate) equivalent to 100mg/5ml chlorpromazine hydrochloride - discontinued April 2006.  Sanofi-aventis has indicated that they will supply an alternate product (Largactil Syrup 25mg/5ml) persuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act.  The strength of this alternate product differs from the strength of Largactil Forte oral suspension and therefore adjustments are required to the administered volume of Largactil Syrup.  Contact details for sanofi-aventis: phone 0800 283 684 then select option 2.
   
• Apo-Phenylbutazone 100mg tablets - December 2005.  Apotex NZ Ltd has advised that this product is discontinued globally.  However, supplies can be obtained under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981, by contacting Customer Services at Apotex: phone 09 444 2082 or fax 09 443 6573.  Existing stock expires in August 2007, after which no further supplies will be available.
  
  
• Melleril^® (thioridazine) - June 2005.  From 1 July 2005, Novartis is globally discontinuing the marketing of all dose forms of Melleril.  After this date, supplies of Melleril will no longer be available.  Contact details for Novartis in New Zealand: phone (09) 828 3149 or fax (09) 828 6565.
  
  
• Ethambutol 100mg tablets - September 2004.  Health Support Ltd can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  Their telephone number is 0800 70 80 60.
  
  
• Plague vaccine - September 2004.  CSL (New Zealand) Ltd have advised that this product is discontinued. However, supplies can be obtained under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981, by contacting CSL directly: phone 09 579 8105 or fax 09 579 8106.
  
  
• Furadantin^® (nitrofurantoin) oral suspension - July 2004.  Pfizer is no longer supplying Furadantin oral suspension.  However, Link Pharmaceuticals has sourced an alternative product, which they can supply pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  This alternative product has a different formulation to the previously marketed product and the bioequivalence of the two formulations has not been established.  Contact details for Link Pharmaceuticals in Auckland are phone (09) 358 7146 and fax (09) 358 7340.
  
  
• Prepulsid^® (cisapride) - June 2004.  From 31 July 2004, Janssen-Cilag is globally discontinuing the marketing of all Prepulsid products.  After this date, Janssen-Cilag will supply cisapride (10mg tablets and 1mg/ml suspension) only in a severely limited way under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 to allow patients in genuine need of cisapride to gain access to the medicine when alternative treatment modalities have failed or are inappropriate.  Contact details for Janssen-Cilag in New Zealand: phone (09) 524 5012 or fax (09) 523 1646.
  
  
• Tertroxin^® (liothyronine sodium) - November 2003.  Glaxo SmithKline is no longer supplying Tertroxin tablets in New Zealand.  However, Health Support Ltd advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  All enquiries should be directed to their Customer Services Department, phone 0800 70 80 60.
  
  
• Lexotan^® 3mg tablets (bromazepam) - September 2003.  Due to difficulties in sourcing Lexotan tablets, Roche Products (New Zealand) Limited will no longer being supplying this product in New Zealand.
  
  
• Fluoroscein 10% - March 2003.  AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  Their telephone number is (09) 488 0232, fax (09) 488 0234.
  
  
• Folic Acid IV 15mg/ml - March 2003.  AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  Their telephone number is (09) 488 0232, fax (09) 488 0234.
  
  
• Betaloc^® CR (metoprolol succinate) - January 2003 update: AstraZeneca have advised Medsafe that supplies of all strengths of Betaloc CR are now available and no further shortages are anticipated.  
  October 2002: Pharmac, jointly with Medsafe and the Cardiac Society, has issued a letter to health professionals regarding Betaloc CR.  The letter outlines the supply situation and offers some clinical advice on managing patients who are using Betaloc CR.  A copy of this letter is available on the Medsafe web site as a 100KB pdf file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read pdf files. Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded for free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
  
  
• Loniten^® (minoxidil) 10mg tablets - July 2002.  Pfizer advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981, and only for the indication of hypertension.  All enquiries should be directed to Pfizer's Customer Services Department, phone 0800 736 363 or fax 0800 735 045.
  
  
• Solu Cortef^® (hydrocortisone) 100mg vial (preservative-free formulation) - July 2002.  Pfizer New Zealand advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  All enquiries should be directed to their Customer Services Department, phone 0800 736 363 or fax 0800 735 045.
  
  
• Cabaser^® (cabergoline) 2mg tablets - July 2002.  Pharmacia advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  All enquiries should be directed to their Customer Services Department, phone 0800 735 730 or fax 0800 276 520.
  
  
• Estring^® vaginal ring - July 2002.  Pfizer advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  All enquiries should be directed to their Customer Services Department, phone 0800 736 363 or fax 0800 735 045.
  
  
• Vistide^® (cidofovir) 75mg/ml injection - July 2002.  Pfizer New Zealand advise they can supply this product pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  All enquiries should be directed to their Customer Services Department, phone 0800 736 363 or fax 0800 735 045.
    
  
• Propylthiouracil 50mg tablets (Abbott Laboratories Ltd) - Apr 2000.  Health Support Ltd have indicated they will supply propylthiouracil 50mg tablets (Opthalmic Laboratories of Australia) pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  These tablets are approved in Australia but not in New Zealand.  Health Support Ltd's phone number is (09) 815 2600.
  
  
• Nitoman^® tablets discontinued - Aug 1999.  Note: Tetrabenazine tablets (from AFT Pharmaceuticals) are available.
  
  
• Minims^®: Neomycin Sulphate 0.5%, Pilocarpine Nitrate 1% & 4% and Gentamicin Sulphate 0.3% - July 1999.  Smith & Nephew Limited have advised they will supply these Minims to New Zealand medical practitioners on request, pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  Their telephone number is 09 828 4059, fax 09 820 2868.
  
  
• Natulan tablets - March 1999.  AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the sponsor of Natulan, has indicated they will supply the medicine to New Zealand medical practitioners pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981.  Their telephone number is (09) 488 0232, fax (09) 488 0234.
  
  
• Yomesan 500mg tablets discontinued. Bayer New Zealand Ltd will supply Biltricide (praziquantel) 600mg tablets pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 for tapeworm infections. Biltricide is not on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Bayer currently charge $45.56 (+ GST) for 4 tablets.