Efavirenz tablets: Discontinuation
The supplier of efavirenz (Stocrin) 200 mg and 600 mg discontinued its efavirenz tablets worldwide.
Efavirenz no longer funded from 1 November 2026
We have made a decision to delist efavirenz 600mg tablets from the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 November 2026. This is because we have not been able to secure ongoing supply of a Medsafe-approved brand of efavirenz tablets.
Our clinical advisors have told us that other funded antiretroviral medicines would meet the needs of people currently receiving this medicine.
What does this mean for me?
People who take efavirenz
If you take efavirenz, you will need to talk to the person who prescribed it. There are other funded treatments available.
Prescribers
Please reach out to any one you prescribe efavirenz for. They will need to move to a new funded treatment. We understand from our clinical advisors that almost all people currently receiving efavirenz would be able to move to other funded antiretroviral medicines.
NZF Formulary information on HIV infection(external link)
If you need National Health Index (NHI) numbers to identify affected people, you can request information from the Ministry of Health by emailing: data-enquiries@health.govt.nz
There may be a small number of people who are unable to move to another funded treatment. Ongoing funding of efavirenz or other HIV medicines would be considered through Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances Framework - NPPA.
Pharmacists
If you dispense efavirenz, please encourage your patient to talk to their prescriber to find a suitable alternative treatment.
- Efavirenz discontinuation A5 Flyer [PDF 130 KB]
Key dates
1 November 2026 | Efavirenz no longer funded
April 2026 | Stock of Efavirenz Milpharm likely to run out
13 June 2025 | Efavirenz discontinuation announced
18 February 2025 | Consultation on discontinuation opened
1 December 2024 | Efavirenz Stocrin no longer funded (600 mg and 200 mg tablets)
1 April 2024 | Efavirenz Milpharm funded (600 mg tablets)
20 March 2024 | Notice about discontinuation of the Stocrin brand of efavirenz first published
Background
In March 2024, we alerted people that Stocrin brand of efavirenz was no longer being made. We listed an alternative (Efavirenz Milpharm) to give us time to consider our options.
We sought feedback on whether it was appropriate to completely stop funding efavirenz tablets in February 2025. Following this, we made the decision to stop funding efavirenz.
There is enough Efavirenz Milpharm to last until late 2026. This gives people time to find another treatment.
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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