Compounded oral liquids containing carboxymethylcellulose: Supply issue

About this issue

Initially this supply issue was caused by a lack of carboxymethylcellulose. Biomed uses carboxymethylcellulose to thicken the compounded oral liquids. While carboxymethylcellulose is available again, there are limits to the amount of product that Biomed can make. This means these products remain in short supply.

Affected products:

Stock status as at 26 September 2025

• Spironolactone oral liquid 5 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344877) | Stock available 
• Chlorothiazide oral liquid 50 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344818) | Stock available 
• Dexamethasone oral liquid 1 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344842) | Stock available 
• Caffeine citrate oral liquid 20 mg per ml (10 mg base per ml) (Pharmacode 461253) | Limited stock available 
• Omeprazole oral liquid (1 mg per ml, 100 ml) | (Hospital only) | Limited stock available (more stock coming)
• Folic acid oral liquid (50 mcg per ml, 25 ml) (Pharmacode 344850) | Limited stock available (more stock coming) 

Biomed is continually making and distributing these oral liquids. However, not in quantities large enough to fill all back orders. As such, supply may be inconsistent.

There is also an issue affecting the omeprazole oral liquid 1 mg per ml, 100 ml. This product used in hospitals.  Dispersible tablets have been sourced for hospitals to ensure people can continue to access omeprazole in a liquid. 

Alternatives

The tablet or capsule forms of all these products are fully funded. Although a caffeine tablet is only funded in the hospital.

We have tried a range of options to find alternative oral liquids but have not been successful.

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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