Pharmac is an independent, government-funded organisation responsible for managing the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule. One of its core functions is to manage the supply of medicines in the country, which includes ensuring that they are available when needed, and that they are safe and of high quality. Their website can be used to find information on medicine supply issues, discontinuations, and brand changes.
Pharmac’s website is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and patients alike, providing information on a wide range of medicines and their supply status. You can view the list using the button ‘Medicine Notices’ below.
Finding information on medicine supply issues
There are a number of reasons why a medicine might be in short supply, ranging from manufacturing issues to global supply chain disruptions. When this happens, it can be challenging for healthcare providers to ensure that their patients receive the medicines they need.
Pharmac’s website provides up-to-date information on any supply issues affecting medicines in New Zealand. To access this information, go to the Pharmac website and click on the “Medicine funding and supply” tab in the top navigation bar.
This will take you to the ‘Medicine notices page’, which lists all the medicines that are currently in short supply, as well as any alternative medicines that may be available. You can search for a specific medicine using the search bar at the top of the page or browse the list of medicines to see if any of the medicines you prescribe or use are affected.
If you click on a specific medicine name, you will be taken to a page that provides more detailed information about the supply issue, including the expected duration of the shortage and any alternative medicines that may be available. This information can be very useful for healthcare providers when deciding how to manage their patients’ medication needs.
Finding information on discontinuations
Sometimes, a medicine may be discontinued, meaning that it will no longer be available in New Zealand. This can happen for a number of reasons, including the discovery of safety concerns or the availability of alternative treatments.
Pharmac’s website provides information on any medicines that have been discontinued in New Zealand. To access this information, again click on the “Medicine funding and supply” tab in the top navigation bar, then select “Discontinuations” from the dropdown menu on the left side of the page.
This will filter medicines to if they have been discontinued, along with the reasons for the discontinuation and any alternative medicines that may be available. You can browse the list of medicines to see if any of the medicines you are prescribed, or use are affected.
Finding information on brand changes
From time to time, the company that manufactures a medicine may change, leading to a change in the medicine’s branding or packaging. This can sometimes cause confusion for patients and healthcare providers alike, particularly if the medicine looks different from what they are used to.
Pharmac’s website provides information on any brand changes affecting medicines in New Zealand. To access this information, go to the Pharmac website and click on the “Medicine funding and supply” tab in the top navigation bar, then select “Brand change” from the dropdown menu.
This will filter by Brand Changes, listing all the medicines that have undergone a brand change, along with information about the new branding and packaging.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for information on a specific medicine’s supply status, discontinuation, or brand change, Pharmac’s website provides up-to-date and reliable information.
Pharmac Medicine Notices: https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/
