Compounded oral liquids containing carboxymethylcellulose: Supply issue

Affected products

Pharmac is working closely with Biomed and other suppliers in an effort to avoid this issue affecting patients.

Biomed uses carboxymethylcellulose to thicken the following compounded oral liquids:

• Spironolactone oral liquid 5 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344877)
• Chlorothiazide oral liquid 50 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344818)
• Dexamethasone oral liquid 1 mg per ml, 25 ml (Pharmacode 344842)

Biomed may go briefly out of stock of some of these products. We expect there will be enough stock in the supply chain to ensure patients can continue to access their treatment.

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 / capsule forms of all these products are fully funded. 

We have tried a range of options to find alternative oral liquids but have not been successful, given the short out of stock periods at Biomed.

Expected resolution

Biomed expects to be able to return to normal supply by the end of March 2025.

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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