Octreotide 50, 100, and 500 mcg per ml ampoules: Supply issue
There is a supply issue affecting all strengths of Max Health octreotide ampoules.
20 January 2026 | Update
The supplier has run out of all three strengths of the Max Health brand of octreotide ampoules. The Omega brand vials are available to order in their place. Omega brand remains unapproved by Medsafe.
Affected products
The supplier for octreotide injection (Max Health) advised it is facing increasing difficulty sourcing octreotide.
| Presentation | Brand | Pharmacode | Subsidy | Measure/Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| inj 50 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule | Max Health | 2629534 | $27.58 | per 5 |
| Inj 100 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule | Max Health | 2629518 | $32.71 | per 5 |
| Inj 500 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule | Max Health | 2629526 | $113.10 | per 5 |
Schedule listing for octreotide(external link)
Alternative product
Max Health has alternative products listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. They are not Medsafe approved, meaning they need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. The Omega brand comes in a vial, not an ampoule like the registered product.
| Presentation | Brand | Pharmacode | Subsidy | Measure/Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inj 50 mcg per ml, 1 ml vial | Omega | 2695375 | $27.58 | per 5 |
| Inj 100 mcg per ml, 1 ml vial | Omega | 2687275 | $32.71 | per 5 |
| Inj 500 mcg per ml, 1 ml vial | Omega | 2694433 | $113.10 | per 5 |
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 a supply issue.
We know supplying a medicine under section 29A 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)
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
Expected resupply
We are working with the supplier to understand when the registered 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)
Pharmac is a government agency. We do not sell medicines or related products.