Colifoam (hydrocortisone acetate rectal foam): Supply issue
Hydrocortisone acetate rectal foam (Colifoam) may go out of stock during October 2026.
Affected product
The manufacturer has had difficulty sourcing the applicator valves for this product. This has delayed production. The supplier expects to have stock available again by early November 2026. However, the supplier may run out of Colifoam before more stock arrives.
Chemical: Hydrocortisone acetate
- Presentation: Rectal foam 10%, CFC-Free (14 applications)
- Brand: Colifoam
- Pharmacode: 2611120
- Subsidy: $57.09
- Measure / Qty: per 15 g OP
People who use Colifoam
If your pharmacy does not have Colifoam available, they may be able to supply a different brand. You may need a new prescription. We have funded two alternative products, please talk to your prescriber about the best option for you.
Cortifoam
Cortifoam is the US version of Colifoam and has the same formulation, but the outer labelling and packaging differs. It has not been reviewed by Medsafe.
Proctofoam
You may be familiar with Proctofoam. It was funded for a previous supply issue affecting Colifoam. It has an additional ingredient so you will need a new prescription to access this product.
Not reviewed by Medsafe
Neither of the alternative brands have been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. However, they are used in other countries. Your prescriber will discuss this with you before they prescribe it. You can read more information about unapproved medicine on the Healthify website.
Unapproved medicines | Healthify.nz(external link)
Alternative product
Cortifoam
Cortifoam is the US version of Colifoam and has the same formulation. Cortifoam is not a Medsafe approved brand and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Cortifoam is funded from 8 October 2026. Pharmacies can claim for this product from that date, although it may not appear in the online Pharmaceutical Schedule until later in October 2026. Cortifoam will be listed on the HML from 1 November 2026.
- Chemical: Hydrocortisone acetate
- Presentation: Rectal foam 10%, CFC-Free (14 applications)
- Brand: Cortifoam
- Pharmacode: 2608707
- Subsidy: $57.09
- Measure / Qty: per 15 g OP
Proctofoam
The supplier, Viatris, has sourced stock of Proctofoam. It is already funded and has been supplied during previous issues. It is not approved by Medsafe so needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
People will need a new prescription because Proctofoam has an additional active ingredient.
- Chemical: Hydrocortisone acetate with pramoxine hydrochloride
- Presentation: Topical aerosol foam, 1% with pramoxine hydrochloride 1%
- Brand: Proctofoam
- Pharmacode: 2572176
- Subsidy: $26.55
- Measure / Qty: per 10 g OP
Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine
Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people when there is supply issue affecting the registered brand.
We know supplying an unapproved medicine is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow people to continue to access an appropriate treatment.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
- General Supply Issue A5 Flier [PDF 111 KB]
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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