Irinotecan hydrochloride (Inj 20 mg per ml, 5 ml vial): Hospital supply issue resolved

Affected product

Accord, the supplier, had limited stock of the following product due to an increase in demand.

Irinotecan hydrochloride

• Presentation: Inj 20 mg per ml, 5 ml vial
• Brand: Accord
• Pharmacode: 2621177
• Subsidy: $52.57
• Measure / Qty: per 1

HML listing for irinotecan hydrochloride(external link)

Alternative listed from 1 August 2025

The alternative is a 25 ml vial. It is available to order from Accord. It is not approved by Medsafe so will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act. 

• Brand: Accord
• Presentation: Inj 20 mg per ml, 25 ml vial
• Pharmacode: 2711036
• Subsidy: $262.85
• Measure / Qty: per 1

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. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor. 

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)

Registered stock arrived late October

The supplier has received a shipment and is working to release stock to wholesalers. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around New Zealand Aotearoa.

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)