Acetylcysteine (DBL Acetylcysteine) Inj 200 mg per ml, 10 ml ampoule: Supply issue

Affected products

Due to changes to the active ingredient, Pfizer will go out of stock of the following product by late December:

Acetylcysteine

• Presentation: Inj 200 mg per ml, 10 ml ampoule
• Brand: DBL Acetylcysteine
• Pharmacode: 2260794
• Subsidy: $42.99
• Measure / Qty: per 10

Alternative product

The following was funded from 1 April 2025 due to a previous supply issue. It is not Medsafe-registered and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.

• Brand: Hikma Acetylcysteine
• Presentation: Inj 200 mg per ml, 10 ml vial
• Measure/Qty: 10 pack
• Subsidy: $42.99
• Pharmacode: 2701928

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website(external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Expected resupply March 2026

Pfizer expects the Medsafe registered product to be available again in March 2026. 

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, Pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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