Heparinised saline inj 10 iu per ml, 5 ml (Pfizer): Supply issue

Supply issue Active

There is a supply issue affecting this presentation of heparinised saline (Pharmacode: 2339919) because of a change in the active ingredient.

Affected product

Pfizer, the supplier, advises that there is a change to the active ingredient (API) in this product. The product with the new API will start being supplied in New Zealand from March 2026, subject to Medsafe approval. 

There is not enough stock of the product with the current API to cover full market demand until March 2026. 

Chemical: Heparinised saline

  • Presentation: Inj 10 iu per ml, 5 ml
  • Brand: Pfizer
  • Pharmacode: 2339919
  • Subsidy: $96.91
  • Measure / Qty: per 50

Schedule listing for heparinised saline(external link)

Alternative product 

Pfizer has sourced an alternative product, which was listed from 1 December 2025. 

The alternative:

  • comes in glass ampoule rather than plastic
  • has a different chemical name in the Schedule and HML
  • is not Medsafe-registered
  • contains the same active ingredient and excipients as the registered product.

Chemical: Heparin sodium

  • Brand: Wockhardt
  • Presentation: Inj 10 iu per ml, 5 ml ampoule (flushing solution)
  • Pharmacode: 2717840
  • Subsidy: $19.38
  • Measure / Qty: per 10
  • Unapproved medicine (Section 29)

Schedule listing for heparin sodium(external link)

Two boxes, heparinised saline is black and white, Heparin Sodium states Flushing solution and has a pink swoop. Both have the same active and inactive ingredients..
Comparison of the packaging (not shown to scale)

Glass ampoules

Pharmac understands that using glass ampoules in community settings would be challenging. Pharmac has also been advised that heparinised saline is used in hospitals under standing orders, as such unregistered products are not suitable for these settings.

We ask that hospitals please reserve the registered plastic ampoules for use under standing orders. Pfizer is also managing supply of the plastic ampoules for community use.

Where possible please use the unregistered glass ampoules in all other settings, where it is feasible and clinically safe to do so.

Expected resupply

Pending Medsafe registration, Pfizer expects it to be available in March 2026.

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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Pharmac is a government agency. We do not sell medicines or related products.