Ezetimibe with simvastatin (Zimybe) all strengths: Supply issue

Supply issue Section 29A Active

Due to issues at the factory, a supply issue is affecting all strengths of ezetimibe with simvastatin.

On this page

Update 24 September 2026 | All strengths now affected

All strengths of Zimybe are affected by this supply issue. From 1 October, more alternative brands are being listed to ensure people can continue to access this treatment.

Affected product

Viatris, the supplier, is experiencing issues at one of its factories. This has led to a supply issue affecting the following products:

Zimybe brand ezetimibe with simvastatin 

Presentation Pharmacode Subsidy Measure/Qty
10 mg / 10 mg 2470683 $11.86 per 30
10 mg / 20 mg 2470691 $12.55 per 30
10 mg / 40 mg 2727722 $11.55 per 30
10 mg / 80 mg 2470713 / 2725622 $14.27 per 30

Schedule listing for ezetimibe with simvastatin(external link)

Information for people who take Zimybe

Your pharmacist may need to dispense a different brand of your usual medicine. We have funded temporary alternative brands of your medicine while your usual brand, Zimybe, is unavailable.

The alternatives contain the same amount of the active ingredients as your usual brand. They are designed to work in your body the same way. Some of the alternatives come in bottles, rather than blister packs.

You may recognise the Vytorin brand, we have previously funded this brand. 

While these brands have not been approved for use in New Zealand, they are used in other countries, like Australia. Your prescriber will discuss this with you before they prescribe it. 

You can learn more about unapproved medicines on the Healthify website

Unapproved medicines | Healthify(external link)

Alternative brands

Summary of all funded alternative brands. More details about each brand follow.

Presentation Brand Pharmacode Subsidy Measure/Qty Listing date
10 mg / 10 mg Vytorin 2735539 $11.86 per 30 1 Oct 2026
10 mg / 20 mg Ezetimibe Simvastatin Viatris 2737205 $41.83 per 100
(Bottle)		 1 Oct 2026
10 mg / 40 mg Vytorin 2727722 $11.55 per 30 1 May 2026
10 mg / 40 mg Ascend 2737884 $11.55 per 30
(bottle)		 1 Oct 2026
10 mg / 80 mg Vytorin 2727730 $14.27 per 30 1 Jun 2026
The packaging uses light blue to signal the strength..
Vytorin 10/10 mg box and blister pack

Alternative 10/10 mg: Vytorin

This alternative is funded from 1 October 2026.  Vytorin has previously been funded in New Zealand so may be familiar. It is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

  • Presentation: Tab ezetimibe 10 mg with simvastatin 10 mg
  • Brand: Vytorin
  • Pharmacode: 2735539
  • Subsidy: $11.86
  • Measure / Qty: per 30
White label with black text giving the medicine name, strength, and Viatris' contact details..
Sticker that will be added to the Ezetimbe Simvastatin Viatris bottle

Alternative 10/20 mg: Ezetimbe Simvastatin Viatris

This alternative is funded from 1 October 2026. It is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

This brand comes in a bottle of 100 tablets. 

  • Presentation: Tab ezetimibe 10 mg with simvastatin 20 mg
  • Brand: Ezetimbe Simvastatin Viatris
  • Pharmacode: 2737205
  • Subsidy: $41.80
  • Measure / Qty: per 100
Small white bottle. Label provides chemical and brand information. Large Patient information leaflet is folded and balanced on top of the bottle..
Ascend bottle

Alternative 10/40 mg: Ascend

This brand is funded from 1 October 2026. It is not currently Medsafe approved. It will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

The tablets come in a bottle of 30 tablets.

  • Brand: Ascend
  • Pharmacode: 2737884
  • Subsidy: $11.55
  • Measure / Qty: per 30
Orange is used on the box and blister pack to indicate strength.
10/40 mg Vytorin box and blister pack

Alternative 10/40 mg: Vytorin

This brand was funded from 1 May 2026. Organon is the supplier. This brand has previously been funded in New Zealand so may be familiar. It is not currently Medsafe approved. It will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. 

  • Brand: Vytorin
  • Pharmacode: 2727722
  • Subsidy: $11.55
  • Measure / Qty: per 30
The box and blister pack use purple to indicate strength..
Vytorin brand 10/80 mg box and blister pack

Alternative 10/80 mg: Vytorin

The following product was listed from 1 June 2026. This brand has previously been funded in New Zealand so may be familiar. It is not Medsafe approved and needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.

  • Presentation: Tab ezetimibe 10 mg with simvastatin 80 mg
  • Brand: Vytorin
  • Pharmacode: 2727730
  • Subsidy: $14.87
  • Measure / Qty: per 30

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. 

We know supplying an unapproved medicine is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow people to continue to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 and 29A medicines – Medsafe website(external link)

Expected resupply

We are working closely with the supplier to understand when the Zimybe brand will be available again.

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.

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)