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

Last Updated: 14 March 2025

Supply issue Active

Martindale Pharma will remain the primary brand of acetylcysteine until early April 2025. DBL Acetylcysteine will not be available until later in 2025.

14 March 2025 Update

To ensure people can continue to access treatment, we have listed an alternative brand of acetylcysteine injections from 1 April 2025.

What's happening

DBL Acetylcysteine was meant to be the main funded brand of acetylcysteine from 1 April 2025. However, due to manufacturing issues, Pfizer (the supplier of the DBL brand) cannot supply the medicine yet.

Max Health, supplier of the currently funded Martindale brand, will continue to supply its product until early April 2025. The Martindale product will not be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule until 1 November 2025 to allow time for stock to be dispensed and claimed.

Pfizer is working to find an alternative to ensure people can continue to access this medicine once the Martindale stock is used.

Affected products

Acetylcysteine | Inj 200 mg per ml, 10 ml ampoule

Brand: DBL Acetylcysteine

Pharmacode: 2260794
Subsidy: $42.99
Measure / Qty: per 10

Brand: Martindale Pharma

Pharmacode: 2634864
Subsidy: $52.88
Measure / Qty: per 10

Alternative product

The following will be listed from 1 April 2025. 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. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor.

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)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

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

Expected resolution

Pfizer expects to have DBL Acetylcysteine available in June 2025.

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.