Codeine phosphate (Noumed) 15, 30 and 60 mg: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Supply of all strengths of codeine tablets has been constrained.

16 September 2026 | 60 mg arrived

A shipment of 60 mg codeine tablets has arrived. Stock has been sent to wholesalers. It can take another 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around the country.

Affected product

There was an initial issue with the 30 mg strength (Pharmacode: 2643219) because the maker had difficulty sourcing the active ingredient.

A heatwave caused further delays to production, which limited the availability of all strengths of codeine in New Zealand. 

Chemical: Codeine phosphate

Brand: Noumed

  • Presentation: Tab 15 mg
  • Pharmacode: 2643200
  • Presentation: Tab 30 mg
  • Pharmacode: 2643219 
  • Presentation: Tab 60 mg
  • Pharmacode: 2643227

Schedule listing for codeine(external link) 

Alternative: multiples of 15 mg tablets

Where other strengths are not available, pharmacists may want to consider dispensing multiples of the 15 mg tablets. 

Stock available September 2026

Shipments of all strengths have arrived. We are continuing to monitor this issue. It can take another 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around the country.

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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