Chloramphenicol eye drops: Chlorsig is changing to Chlorafast

What's changing?

There will be a change to the funded brand of chloramphenicol eye drops 0.5%. The current brand is Chlorsig, supplied by Aspen. It is changing to Chlorafast, supplied by Teva. 

Both products contain the same active ingredient in the same amount. They are designed to work the same way.

You may be familiar with Chlorafast, it was the funded brand until 2023.

Medsafe registered

Both brands have been reviewed by Medsafe. They meet New Zealand standards of quality, safety, efficacy. 

When is this happening?

Your pharmacist will likely change your brand sometime in November or December.

Why is my brand changing?

Every year Pharmac runs a tender process to create competition among suppliers to supply many medicines used by New Zealanders. This helps us manage the costs of medicines. Any savings we make are returned to the medicines budget to help pay for new medicines. 

More about the annual tender process

Key dates

1 October 2025 | Chlorafast listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule

end October 2025 | Chlorafast expected to arrive in New Zealand

December 2025 | Supplies of Chlorsig expected to run out

1 March 2026 | Chlorsig no longer funded.

Information for pharmacists

Chlorsig remains funded until 1 March 2026. You can continue to dispense and claim this product until then. 

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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