Montelukast (tab 4 mg and 5 mg): Supply issue

Supply issue Section 29A Active

Due to an issue at the factory, Viatris (the supplier) is running low on montelukast 4 mg chewable tablets (Pharmacode: 2643618).

Affected product

Due to issues at the factory, Viatris has run out of two strengths of montelukast tablets: 

Chemical: Montelukast

  • Presentation: Tab 4 mg (Chewable)
  • Brand: Montelukast Viatris
  • Pharmacode: 2643618
  • Subsidy: $3.10
  • Measure / Qty: per 28
  • Presentation: Tab 5 mg (Chewable)
  • Brand: Montelukast Viatris
  • Pharmacode: 2643626
  • Subsidy: $3.10
  • Measure / Qty: per 28

Schedule listing for montelukast(external link)

The 10 mg montelukast tablet remains available.

People who use montelukast

Pharmac has funded a different brand of the same medicine to make sure you can continue to access this treatment. We're sorry. We know that supply issues can be disruptive. 

What's different?

If you take montelukast or give montelukast to someone else, you may notice the tablet looks different.

The tablet is a different colour and may have different etchings from tablets you are used to.

What's the same?

The alternate brands have the same amount of active ingredient and are designed to work the same way. The tablet also has the same cherry flavour.

Not Medsafe approved

These brands are used in other countries, Australia and the UK. Medsafe has not reviewed this brand for use in New Zealand. This means your doctor and pharmacist have extra steps they have to follow, including explaining what taking an unapproved medicine means.

More about unapproved medicines | Healthify NZ(external link)

Alternative brands are available

Front of Montelukast Sandoz 4 mg medicine pack for children aged 2 to 5 years. Pack contains 28 chewable tablets and features a simple green lungs icon on the front.
Box for Sandoz brand montelukast 4 mg chewable tablets

4 mg Montelukast funded 1 September 2026

Pharmac has sourced an alternate brand Montelukast Sandoz tab 4mg, which will be funded and available from 1 September 2026. It has not been approved by Medsafe, as such it will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. 

Chemical: Montelukast

  • Presentation: Tab 4 mg (Chewable)
  • Brand: Montelukast Sandoz
  • Pharmacode: 2735954
  • Subsidy: $3.10
  • Measure / Qty: per 28
Box has highlights in a reddish/brown colour and has braille, which gives the name and dose of the medicine..
Box for Relonchem brand montelukast 5 mg chewable tablets

5 mg montelukast funded 1 May 2026

Viatris has sourced an alternative brand from the United Kingdom, Relonchem. It has not been approved by Medsafe, as such it will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. 

  • Presentation: Tab 5 mg (Chewable)
  • Brand: Relonchem (S29)
  • Pharmacode: 2728079
  • Subsidy: $3.10
  • Measure / Qty: per 28
  • section 29 and Wastage apply

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. 

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. 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 and 29A medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

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

Flyer to support pharmacists' conversations with patients

Expected resupply

We are working with Viatris to understand when the Medsafe-approved product will be available again.

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)