Codeine (15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg tablets): Supply issue
Due to shipping delays, the supplier has limited supplies of all strengths of codeine.
13 November 2025 | Over-labelled stock
Stock of 15 mg and 60 mg codeine tablets is available for wholesalers to order again from the week ending 14 November 2025. This stock has been over-labelled with a new expiry date.
Affected products
All three strengths of Noumed brand codeine are affected by a shipping delay.
Chemical: Codeine phosphate
| Presentation | Pharmacode | Subsidy | Measure / Qty | Supply status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tab 15 mg | 2643200 | $5.82 | per 100 | Low stock |
| Tab 30 mg | 2643219 | $6.88 | per 100 | No stock |
| Tab 60 mg | 2643227 | $13.89 | per 100 | Low stock |
Schedule listing for codeine phosphate(external link)
Additional stock of codeine
Previously, codeine tablets in New Zealand had a 24-month shelf-life from the date of manufacture. In July 2025, Medsafe approved an application to extend this to a 36-month shelf-life.
The supplier held stock of codeine phosphate tablets that was labelled with a 24-month expiry date. Medsafe fast-tracked an approval to over-label this stock with the 36-month shelf-life to ensure people can still access this medicine.
This over-labelled stock will start being distributed to wholesalers by the week ending 15 November 2025.
We have prepared a flier to reassure people that the over-labelled product is safe and effective.
- Codeine supply issue | November 2025 [PDF 73 KB]
Expected resolution
The next shipment is expected to arrive in mid-November. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks for product to reach pharmacies around New Zealand Aotearoa.
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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