Salbutamol (Asthalin) nebuliser 1 mg and 2 mg per ml: Supply issue

Supply issue Section 29A Active

Supply issues are affecting Asthalin brand salbutamol 1 mg / ml (Pharmacode: 2154315) and 2 mg / ml (Pharmacode: 2154323) nebuliser solution.

14 May 2025 | UK alternatives available 

The supplier has stock of the UK Cipla brand of both strengths of salbutamol nebules available. Neither is a Medsafe-approved product so must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

Affected product

Due to manufacturing delays, Rex Medical (the supplier) ran out of the 1 mg / ml strength: 

  • Brand: Asthalin
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
  • Pharmacode: 2154315
  • Subsidy: $8.96
  • Measure / Qty: per 20

Stock of the registered 2 mg per ml strength is now being reserved for ambulances. 

  • Brand: Asthalin
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 2 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
  • Pharmacode: 2154323
  • Subsidy: $9.43
  • Measure / Qty: per 20

Alternative products for the 1 mg / ml

Using the 2 mg/ml strength 

The 2 mg/ml strength may be dispensed as an alternative. Pharmacists, please explain to people how to dilute this product to the prescribed strength.

If you use Asthalin nebulisers, please make sure you've spoken to your health care provider about how to get the right strength before you use it. 

Alternative 1 mg / ml listed 1 August 2025

An alternative was funded from 1 August 2025. 

  • Chemical: Salbutamol
  • Brand: UK Cipla
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
  • Pharmacode: 2710811
  • Subsidy: $8.96
  • Measure / Qty: per 20
  • Unapproved medicine.

Alternative product for the 2 mg / ml listed

This product is not Medsafe approved and will need to be used in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. Once this alternative product is available, Rex will reserve remaining Asthalin stock for ambulance use.

  • Brand: UK Cipla
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 2 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
  • Pharmacode: 2712199
  • Subsidy: $9.43
  • Measure / Qty: per 20

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29A 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. 

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

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

Resupply dates

The supplier can no longer supply the Asthalin salbutamol 1mg / ml to New Zealand. Further supply of Asthalin 2 mg / ml is expected, and Pharmac is working with the supplier to understand timeframes for supply.

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.  

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)