Ipratropium bromide nebulisers (Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule): Supply issue

Affected product

Rex Medical, the supplier, ran out of the following product during June 2025. The next shipment will not arrive until 2026.

Chemical: Ipratropium bromide

• Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule 
• Brand: Univent
• Pharmacode: 2154307
• Subsidy: $11.73
• Measure / Qty: per 20

Schedule listing for the nebulisers(external link)

Alternative product

We listed an alternative from 1 June 2025. The alternative is not Medsafe registered.

• Brand: Accord
• Pharmacode: 2643154
• Pack size: per 20
• Subsidy: $11.73

Reserve the registered product for PSO

The Schedule allows for up to 40 nebulisers to be available on a PSO. We ask that, where possible, the registered product is reserved for use on PSO. 

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

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

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

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

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Expected resupply 

Rex Medical advises that the registered product will be available again in early 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.