Colchicine (500 mcg tablets): Your brand is changing from Colgout to Indoco
Between 1 July and 1 December 2026, your pharmacist will dispense Colchicine Indoco 500 mcg tablets for the first time.
On this page
The same active ingredient, in the same amount
Colchicine Indoco is designed to work in your body the same way as Colgout. It has the same amount of active ingredient. You should not notice any difference, but if you do, please contact your doctor.
The tablets look similar
Both Colgout and Colchicine Indoco are small, white tablets. They are both about the same size. Colgout had a C etched on one side, while Colchicine Indoco has a C and a 0.5.
Now in blister packs
Colchicine Indoco comes in blister packs, instead of bottles, like Colgout. The change to blister packs aims to improve safety of taking colchicine. Even just 1 or 2 tablets can be fatal to a child or pet.
Struggle with blister packs?
Some people find it difficult to open blister packs. If you have any issues, talk to your pharmacist about the best way to manage this.
More information
Healthify is a New Zealand website with easy-to-read information about taking colchicine and the brand change to Colchicine Indoco.
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.
Your brand change is helping fund more medicines for more New Zealanders.
Health care professionals: Information
Changing to a blister pack from a bottle is expected to produce a positive safety outcome. We have discussed these changes with Arthritis NZ and the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ).
We are aware that using blister packaging may be challenging for some people with gout. People can talk their pharmacists about ways to manage this.
Pharmacists: Brand switch fee
A brand switch fee will be available from 1 December 2026.
Download a flyer about this brand change
- Colchicine brand change flyer Jun 26 [PDF 152 KB]
Key dates
1 July 2026 | Colchicine Indoco funded (Pharmacode: 2731576)
1 December 2026 | Colgout no longer funded (Pharmacode: 2200503)
1 December 2026 | Brand switch fee available on first dispensing of Colchicine Indoco after 1 December.
Who to contact
If you have questions about this change, 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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