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

Supply issue Section 29A Active

The Asthalin brand salbutamol 1 mg / ml nebules (Pharmacode: 2154315) will not return to New Zealand. Stock of Asthalin 2 mg / ml (Pharmacode: 2154323) nebules will be available again in August.

29 July 2026 | Status update

The supplier has confirmed that the Asthalin brand 1 mg/ml nebules will not be returning to New Zealand. The alternative, UK Cipla, remains available. UK Cipla is not approved by Medsafe and must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.  

The supplier is bringing more stock of Asthalin brand 2 mg/ml nebules. This stock is expected to be available in August 2026.

Affected products

Rex Medical (the supplier) can no longer supply the following product: 

  • 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

Supply of the 2 mg per ml strength had been 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 brands

Pharmac has funded the UK Cipla brand of salbutamol nebules to ensure people can continue to access treatment. Neither strength of UK Cipla is approved by Medsafe and must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

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
  • 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)

Supplying salbutamol nebules on PSO

Salbutamol nebuliser solution 2 mg per ml, and 1 mg per ml. 2.5 ml ampoules are available on Practitioner’s Supply Order (PSO).

Normally medicines that are not Medsafe approved cannot be used on PSO because section 29 of the Medicines Act requires that the patient to be known at the time of supply.

As holding an emergency supply of salbutamol nebuliser solution may be essential for patient safety, salbutamol nebuliser solution that is not Medsafe approved can be supplied to medical practitioners on a PSO where there is no suitable Medsafe approved alternative available.

The practitioner must provide the patient details to the pharmacy retrospectively to meet the requirements of section 29B of the Medicines Act.

Resupply 

The supplier can no longer supply the Asthalin salbutamol 1mg / ml to New Zealand.

An additional supply of Asthalin 2 mg / ml will arrive in August. 

Pharmac continues to monitor the long-term supply of these products. 

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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