Nifedipine (Nyefax Retard) Tab long-acting 20 mg: Supply issue resolved
Supply was limited of nifedipine (Nyefax Retard) Tab long-acting 20 mg (Pharmacode: 529435).
5 March 2026 | Resupplied
A shipment has arrived and been distributed to wholesalers. It may take a further 1 to 2 weeks to reach pharmacies around the country.
Affected product
There is a supply issue affecting the following product
- Chemical: Nifedipine
- Presentation: Tab 20 mg
- Brand: Nyefax Retard
- Pharmacode: 529435
- Subsidy: $17.72
- Measure / Qty: per 100
Schedule listing for nifedipine(external link)
The 30 mg and 60 mg presentations are not affected by this supply issue. The 10 mg is being discontinued.
Nifedipine (Tensipine MR10) 10 mg MR tab: Discontinuation
Alternative product
From 1 February 2026 the following product was funded. It should be available to order from the supplier by mid-February 2026. It is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
- Presentation: Tab long-acting 20 mg
- Brand: Valni Retard S29
- Pharmacode: 2720973
- Subsidy: $9.92
- Measure / Qty: per 56
- Section 29 and wastage claimable.
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 by any prescriber when there is a supply issue.
We know supplying a medicine under section 29A 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.
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
- Unapproved Medicine flier A5 [PDF 131 KB]
Expected resupply
Stock of the New Zealand registered Nyefax Retard (Pharmacode: 529435) has arrived and has been sent to wholesalers. It can take a further 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the country.
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)