Chlorhexidine with cetrimide: Hospital supply issue

Supply issue Hospital only Active

The supplier, Arrotex, have informed Pharmac of a manufacturing issue affecting the supply of chlorhexidine with cetrimide 30ml ampoules.

Affected product - LumaCina

LumaCina (irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30ml ampoule) is currently out of stock due to a manufacturing issue with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Chemical: Chlorhexidine with cetrimide

  • Presentation: Irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30ml ampoule
  • Brand: LumaCina
  • Pharmacode: 2700239
  • Subsidy: $29.70
  • Measure / Qty: per 30

HML schedule listing(external link)

Alternative product - Bridgewest

Arrotex have sourced another product which was listed and available from 1 September 2026. The alternative is a higher strength product.

Chemical: Chlorhexidine with cetrimide

  • Presentation: Irrigation soln 0.05% with cetrimide 0.5%, 30 ml ampoule
  • Brand: Bridgewest Chlorhexidine
  • Pharmacode: 2735040
  • Subsidy: $29.70
  • Measure / Qty: per 30

HML schedule listing(external link)

Different strength

The alternative product, Bridgewest Chlorhexidine (Pharmacode: 2735040), has a significantly higher amount of the active ingredients. This will need to be managed appropriately with patients. 

Alternative product - Baxter

The supplier has advised that the Bridgewest brand alternative product may be affected by a supply issue from late October 2026. The supplier has secured a second alternative product, Baxter chlorhexidine with cetrimide (Pharmacode: 332534), to minimise supply disruption during this time.

The Baxter product contains the same strength of chlorhexidine with cetrimide as the registered LumaCina product (irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%), and is not funded.

Chemical: Chlorhexidine with cetrimide

  • Presentation: Irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%, 100ml bottle
  • Brand: Baxter Chlorhexidine
  • Pharmacode: 332534

Expected resupply

Arrotex is still working through the manufacturing issue. We are working with Arrotex to understand when supply levels can return to normal.

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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