Midazolam (Inj 5 mg per ml, 3 ml plastic ampoule): Supply issue resolved
Due to delays at the manufacturing plant, the supplier had a supply issue affecting midazolam Inj 5 mg per ml, 3 ml plastic ampoule (Pharmacode: 2263068).
12 December 2024 | Update
Pfizer (plastic ampoule Pharmacode: 2263068) and Midazolam-Baxter (Pharmacode: 2599260) are now available again. Stock is being sent to wholesalers and it may take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu.
Stock of the alternatives:
Midazolam Viatris
- 1 mg per ml, 5 ml amp (Pharmacode 2634945) is still available
- 5 mg per ml, 3 ml amp (Pharmacodes: 2634953) has run out at supplier level, but stock may still be in the supply chain
Affected product
Pfizer, the supplier, advises that because of manufacturing delays, there is a supply issue affecting midazolam 5 mg per ml, 3 ml plastic ampoules.
Midazolam
- Presentation: Inj 5 mg per ml, 3 ml plastic ampoule
- Brand: Pfizer
- Pharmacode: 2263068
- Subsidy: $22.50
- Measure / Qty: per 5
Other presentations of midazolam are not affected by this issue.
Schedule listing for midazolam(external link)
Alternative product
We have listed alternative products in the Community Schedule. They are Medsafe registered.
| Presentation | Brand | Pharmacode | Subsidy | Measure/Qty | Listing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inj 5 mg per ml, 3 ml ampoule | Midazolam Viatris | 2634953 | $5.50 | per 5 | 20 November 2024 |
| Inj 1 mg per ml, 5 ml ampoule | Midazolam Viatris | 2634945 | $16.75 | per 10 | 1 December 2024 |
| Inj 5 mg per ml, 1 ml plastic ampoule | Midazolam-Pfizer | 2692406 | $22.50 | per 10 | 1 October 2024 |
Information for pharmacists about the 20 November Midazolam Viatris listing
This listing will not appear in the Online Schedule until it is updated for 1 December 2024.
- ScriptSense users: the listing will be automatically updated by ScriptSense from 22 November 2024
- RxOne users: the changes will be automatically updated by RxOne from the effective date.
- TONIQ users: the changes will automatically be updated in Toniq medicine databases from the effective date.
The Sector Operations Group won’t be able to process claims for November dispensing of the above listings. Pharmacies can either:
- hold these claims until December OR
- reclaim them in December when they are rejected for payment in November claims.
What health care professionals need to do:
- Please prioritise the use of plastic ampoules for status epilepticus or where the glass ampoules are not practicable.
- Where possible, use glass ampoules for other uses including preparing nasal sprays and other non-urgent treatments. The glass ampoules are not affected by this supply issue.
- tell people moving to the 1ml plastic ampoules that the same total dose will be provided but in smaller ampoules, so they may need to use more than one ampoule to get their usual dose.
Resupply early 2025
Pfizer expects the product will be available again in January 2025.
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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