Oxycodone oral liquid (Lucis): Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Due to a supply issue affecting oxycodone tablets, supply is low of oxycodone oral liquid 1 mg / ml (Pharmacode 2678500)

Affected product

Oxycodone oral liquid has seen a significant increase in demand because of a recent supply issue affecting oxycodone immediate release tablets. There is now a supply issue affecting the oral liquid.

The oxycodone immediate release tablets have arrived in the country. Stock should be reaching pharmacies by mid-late November.

Supply issue affecting the oxycodone immediate release tablets

Oxycodone hydrochloride

  • Presentation: Oral liq 1 mg per ml
  • Brand: Oxycodone Lucis
  • Pharmacode: 2678500
  • Subsidy: $37.08
  • Measure / Qty: per 250 ml

Schedule listing for Oxycodone Lucis(external link)

Alternatives

Alternative oxycodone oral liquid listed

From 1 December 2025, an alternative has been listed. It has received an exemption from Medsafe so can be prescribed and dispensed in the same way a fully approved medicine is. Stock of Rosemont brand oral liquid will only be released once the Lucis stock has run out. 

  • Presentation: Oral liq 1 mg per ml
  • Brand: Rosemont
  • Pharmacode: 22717239
  • Subsidy: $37.08
  • Measure / Qty: per 250 ml
  • Wastage claimable

Review prescribing practice

We have received clinical advice that it may be appropriate for clinicians to review their prescribing practice around opioids. 

Revisiting opioid use in New Zealand: how does your prescribing compare? BPACnz(external link)

People who to take oral liquid oxycodone

You may receive a different brand of oxycodone oral liquid than normal. It contains the same active ingredient, in the same quantity. You should not notice any difference in how it works.

We're sorry, we know that that supply issues can be disruptive. Thank you for your patience.

Resupply expected early December 2025

The supplier advises that the next shipment of oxycodone oral liquid will arrive by the end of November. It takes 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.

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