Iloprost (Vebulis) nebulisers: Supply issue
Supplies of Vebulis iloprost nebulisers (Pharmacode: 2643006) are low throughout New Zealand.
Affected product
A significant increase in demand in December 2025 and January 2026 has led to a supply issue affecting iloprost nebuliser solution.
Chemical: Iloprost
- Presentation: Nebuliser soln 10 mcg per ml, 2 ml
- Brand: Vebulis
- Pharmacode: 2643006
- Subsidy: $166.53
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Schedule listing for iloprost(external link)
Alternative product listed from 9 February
From 9 February 2026, we are listing an alternative. This product is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
The supplier expects to have the alternative product available by mid-February 2026.
- Presentation: Nebuliser soln 10 mcg per ml, 2 ml
- Brand: Vebulis S29
- Pharmacode: 2722186
- Subsidy: $166.53
- 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. In this case, however, this will allow people to continue to access an appropriate treatment.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
Same medicine, different label
This product is made by the same company and the formulation is identical. However, it is labelled for sale in Turkey. The supplier is labelling the box in English however the nebules will still be labelled in Turkish. The nebules have the same brand name "Vebulis" but all other writing is in Turkish.
Information for pharmacists
This listing will not appear in the Online Schedule until it is updated for 1 March 2026.
- RxOne users: the changes will be automatically updated by RxOne from the effective date.
- ScriptSense users: the listing will be automatically updated by ScriptSense from the effective date
- TONIQ users: the changes will automatically be updated in Toniq medicine databases from the effective date.
Claiming
Sector Operations won’t be able to process claims for February dispensing of the above listing. Pharmacies can either:
- hold these claims until March OR
- reclaim them in March when they are rejected for payment in February claims.
Flier for patients
The flier explains that this is the same medicine as usual but that the nebules are labelled in Turkish. It also says that their informed consent is needed for this product because it is not Medsafe approved.
- Iloprost (Vebulis) nebuliser solution supply issue [PDF 368 KB]
Expected resupply March 2026
The supplier (Devatis) advises that the New Zealand Vebulis product should be available by early 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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