Midodrine (Midodrine Medsurge) Tab 2.5 mg and 5 mg: Supply issue resolved

There has been a supply issue affecting Midodrine Medsurge tablets since June 2024.

22 January 2025 | Update

Stock of the 5 mg tablet (Pharmacode: 2632071) has arrived and been released to wholesalers. It may take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu. 

Affected product

There was a supply issue affecting both strengths of funded midodrine tablets.

Midodrine

Presentation: Tab 2.5 mg

  • Brand: Midodrine Medsurge
  • Pharmacode: 2632063
  • Subsidy: $38.23
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

Presentation: Tab 5 mg

  • Brand: Midodrine Medsurge
  • Pharmacode: 2632071
  • Subsidy: $59.98
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

Schedule listing for midodrine(external link)

Alternative product

To ensure people can continue to access this medicine, Pharmac listed an alternative in the Community Schedule from 1 July 2024 and in the HML from 1 August 2024. This alternative is not Medsafe approved. 

  • Presentation: Tab 2.5 mg
  • Brand: MAR-Midodrine
  • Pharmacode: 2667851
  • Subsidy: $38.23
  • Measure / Qty: per 100
  • Presentation: Tab 5 mg
  • Brand: MAR-Midodrine
  • Pharmacode: 2667878
  • Subsidy: $59.98
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

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)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

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

Resupplied 

The 2.5 mg tablet was resupplied in December 2024. The 5 mg was resupplied 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.

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)