Cyclopentolate and tropicamide eye drops: Brand change

Three Alcon ophthalmic products are changing brand

Alcon, the supplier, has decided to stop supplying these products for Pharmac to fund. As a result, we have to change the funded brand of these eye drops. 

Alcon will stop supply at the end of 2026. Stock of these brands may remain available for a few months after that. Funding will stop for these products on 1 March 2027.

Currently funded brands:

• Cyclopentolate eye drops (Cyclogyl) 1% (Pharmacode: 203351)
• Tropicamide eye drops (Mydriacyl) 0.5% (Pharmacode: 203351)
• Tropicamide eye drops (Mydriacyl) 1% (Pharmacode: 254002.

New brands listed from 1 October 2026

To ensure people can still get funded access to the products, Pharmac tendered for a new supplier.

As a result, we are funding the following Minims brand products from 1 October 2026. They are supplied by Bausch & Lomb.  

• Cyclopentolate 1% eye drops (Pharmacode: 2603160)
• Tropicamide 0.5% eye drops (Pharmacode: 307300)
• Tropicamide 1% eye drops (Pharmacode: 307319)

Key differences

Single-use vials

All Bausch & Lomb Minims products are 0.5mL single use vials.  These come in packs of 20.

Storage

All Bausch & Lomb Minims products require refrigeration between 2–8°C.

This is a change in storage conditions for tropicamide, which previously had ambient storage conditions.

The supplier, Bausch and Lomb confirmed that there is no stability data for the New Zealand product beyond the approved storage conditions 2-8°C.

We recognise this may create challenges in some situations, particularly in rural settings.

Key dates

1 October 2026 | Minims brand products are funded.

end 2026 | Alcon stops supplying Mydriacyl and Cyclogyl.

1 March 2027 | Mydriacyl and Cyclogyl stop being funded.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this change, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

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