Naltrexone (Naltraccord) tab 50 mg: Supply issue
Naltraccord brand naltrexone 50 mg tablets may run out before the new funded brand is available. A temporary alternative has been funded.
Affected product
Pharmac has decided to fund a new brand of naltrexone tablets. These will be funded from 1 November 2026. The currently funded brand, Naltraccord, may run out before the new brand is available.
Naltrexone hydrochloride
- Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Brand: Naltraccord
- Pharmacode: 2380374
- Subsidy: $83.33
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Schedule listing for naltrexone(external link)
Alternative listed from 1 September 2026
Pharmac is funding an unapproved brand of naltrexone medicine to ensure people can continue to access this treatment. This medicine is from Lupin. It is approved for use in Australia.
- Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Brand: Naltrexone-GH S29
- Pharmacode: 2692961
- Subsidy: $106.45
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Same active ingredient in the same quantity
Naltrexone-GH has the same amount of active ingredient as your usual brand, Naltraccord. Naltrexone-GH is designed to work in your body the same way.
Medicine not Medsafe reviewed
This medicine has not been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. However, it has been approved for use in Australia. Your prescriber will discuss this with you before they prescribe it. You can read more information about unapproved medicine on the Healthify website.
Unapproved medicines | Healthify.nz(external link)
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 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.
- Naltrexone Supply Issue Patient Flyer Aug 26 [PDF 170 KB]
Expected resolution
This issue will be resolved when Naltrexone Lupin is funded from 1 November 2026. We announced that Lupin would be the new funded brand in June 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.
Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)