Daunorubicin: Change of presentation

Hospital only Medicine update Active

Pfizer's daunorubicin solution for injection is being discontinued, Pfizer is supplying a powder in its place.

Discontinued product

  • Chemical: Daunorubicin
  • Presentation: Solution for injection 2 mg per ml, 10 ml
  • Brand: Pfizer
  • Pharmacode: 2325500 
  • Subsidy: $171.93
  • Measure / Qty: per 1

This product is also compounded by Baxter to make a 20 mg injection (strength 2 mg per ml, 10 ml) (Pharmacode: 2204193).

New product

Listed 1 August 2025

  • Presentation: Powder to reconstitute for injection 18.7 mg vial
  • Brand: Pfizer
  • Pharmacode: 2710986 
  • Subsidy: $171.93
  • Measure / Qty: per 1

This product is powder for injection and reconstituted to make an 18.7 mg injection (strength 2 mg per ml). This is listed from 1 August 2025 with Pharmacode: 2710978.

Key differences

  • The new presentation is a powder for injection requiring reconstitution, as compared to the current solution for injection.  
  • Each vial of the Pfizer daunorubicin powder for injection contains 20 mg of daunorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 18.7 mg daunorubicin), compared to the current Pfizer daunorubicin solution for injection, which contains 21.4 mg of daunorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 20 mg daunorubicin). 
  • Once reconstituted, the daunorubicin concentration of the Pfizer daunorubicin powder for inj is 2 mg per ml, which is the same as the current listing
  • Shelf life
    • Powder: 3 years. Store below 25℃. Keep the container in the outer carton to protect from light.
    • Reconstituted solution: To reduce microbiological hazard, use as soon as practicable after reconstitution/preparation. If storage is necessary, hold at 2-8℃ for not more than 24 hours. 

Key dates

August 2025 | the powder will start being supplied

30 September 2025 | the remaining supply of solution for injection expires

1 January 2026 | Pharmacodes 2325500 and 2204193 are delisted

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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