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

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

13 May 2026 | Stock now available

Stock has arrived with the supplier and has been released to wholesalers. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around New Zealand. 

Affected product

Pfizer, the supplier, advised that there was a change to the active ingredient (API) in this product. The product with the new API is now being supplied. 

There was not enough stock of the product with the previous API to cover full market demand until the new product arrived. 

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 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.

Resupplied May 2026

Pfizer advises that its registered product is available again and can be released to wholesalers. It may take another 1 to 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around New Zealand.

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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