Calcitriol (0.25 mcg and 0.5 mcg caps): Brand change
Calcitriol will start changing to a new fully funded and approved brand from 1 September 2026.
New brand to be funded
From 1 September 2026, Pharmac is funding a new brand of calcitriol, Devatis. This will replace AFT and XL Laboratories brands and will be the main funded brand until June 2028.
AFT was the main funded brand but has been unavailable for some time. XL Laboratories was funded in early 2025 to ensure people could continue to access treatment.
People who take calcitriol
Sometime between 1 September 2026 and 1 February 2027, your pharmacist will dispense the Devatis brand calcitriol in place of your usual XL Laboratories brand.
Has anything changed?
Calcitriol Devatis has the same active ingredient, in the same amount. It is designed to work in your body the same way.
The capsule will be a similar colour and size. It will come in a blister pack, like XL Laboratories.
Unlike XL Laboratories, the new brand has been approved by Medsafe as meeting New Zealand standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness.
Why is this happening?
This is a tender brand change. Every year Pharmac runs a tender process to create competition among suppliers to supply many medicines used by New Zealanders. The tender helps Pharmac manage the costs of medicines. Any savings we make are returned to the medicines budget to help pay for new medicines.
Pharmacists
XL Laboratories and AFT Calcitriol brands will not be delisted until 1 February 2027. Allowing time to dispense and claim any remaining stock of XL Laboratories before moving to Devatis.
Devatis brand will be listed from 1 September 2026.
- Calcitriol brand change to Devatis [PDF 151 KB]
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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