Mercaptopurine (Puri-Nethol) 50 mg tablet: Supply issue
Due to a manufacturing issue, there is a supply issue affecting mercaptopurine 50 mg tablets (Pharmacode: 261270).
Affected product
Due to a manufacturing issue, stocks of mercaptopurine (Puri-nethol) 50 mg tablets are expected to become low and there is a risk of a short out-of-stock period from late September 2026.
Mercaptopurine
- Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Brand: Puri-nethol
- Pharmacode: 261270
- Subsidy: $19.50
- Measure / Qty: per 25
Alternative product
From 10 September 2026, Pharmac will fund (list) an alternate brand, Mercaptopurine (Sterimax).
- Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Brand: Mercaptopurine (Sterimax)
- Pharmacode: 2737310
- Subsidy: $19.50
- Measure / Qty: per 25
Mercaptopurine (Sterimax) will be funded in the community from 10 September 2026. Pharmacies will be able to claim as normal from 10 September 2026.
Mercaptopurine (Sterimax) has not been reviewed by Medsafe so it needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Mercaptopurine (Sterimax) will be added to the Hospital Medicines List (HML) 1 October 2026.
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 when there is a supply issue affecting the registered brand.
We know supplying an unapproved medicine is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow people to continue to access an appropriate treatment.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
People who take mercaptopurine (Puri-Nethol)
From 10 September 2026, you may receive an alternative brand of mercaptopurine called Mercaptopurine (Sterimax). This is a different brand of the same medicine. The alternative brand contains the same active ingredient (mercaptopurine) in the same amount as the New Zealand‑approved brand you usually take (Puri-nethol).
The Mercaptopurine (Sterimax) brand has not been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand, however, it has been approved for use in other countries. Prescribers will need to explain what this means before they can prescribe it for you.
About unapproved medicines | Healthify(external link)
Expected resupply of Puri-nethol
We are working closely with the supplier to monitor stock levels and incoming shipments and will update this webpage when we have confirmed timeframes for resupply, this is anticipated to be October 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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