Entecavir (0.5 mg tablets): Your brand is changing

Entecavir Sandoz contains the same amount of the active ingredient as your current brand, Entecavir (Rex). Both brands are designed to work in your body the same way.

You may be familiar with the Entecavir Sandoz brand, as it was the main funded brand from 2018 to 2024.

Both brands come in a 30-pack with tablets in blister packs. The Sandoz brand has round tablets, unlike your old Rex brand, which has triangular tablets.

Why is this happening

This is a tender brand change. Every year, Pharmac runs a tender process to create competition among suppliers to supply many medicines used by New Zealanders.

The tender helps Pharmac manage the costs of medicines. Any savings we make are returned to the medicines budget to help pay for new medicines.

Your brand change is helping fund more medicines for more New Zealanders.

Key dates

1 October 2026 | Entecavir Sandoz (Pharmacode: 2549301) is funded

1 March 2027 | Entecavir (Rex) (Pharmacode: 2654431) is no longer funded

Schedule listing for entecavir(external link)