Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys): Supply issue
Due to global shortages, Echo Therapeutics (the supplier) is closely managing the supply of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pharmacode: 2162806).
14 September 2026 | New alternative funded
The supplier has run out of the Irish-labelled Pegasys®. A new alternative has been funded.
Affected product
Echo Therapeutics (the supplier) has been carefully managing supply to ensure people in New Zealand can continue to access treatment.
- Chemical: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a
- Presentation: Inj 180 mcg prefilled syringe
- Brand name: Pegasys
- Pharmacode: 2162806
Schedule listing for Pegasys(external link)
Information for people who use Pegasys
Please order Pegasys from your pharmacy early. There may be delays in the supply chain between wholesalers and pharmacies.
Please ask your pharmacy to contact their wholesaler if you need your Pegasys now. If you are not using your normal pharmacy, please let it know if it needs to get stock allocated.
There is enough stock to meet demand in New Zealand currently.
Information for pharmacies
This should be available for you to order through CDC or Propharma. Although, supply is tightly constrained, please check with your wholesaler in the first instance.
If you are having difficulty accessing this, pharmacies please contact Echo:
customerservice@echotherapeutics.net
Please let them know:
- The name of your pharmacy
- The wholesaler and branch that you use
- The number of patients you need to get stock for
This will allow the team at Echo to review and where possible prioritise supply for specific wholesalers.
Information for people who prescribe Pegasys
Supply of Pegasys may be limited until the end of 2026. The President of the Haematological Society of Australia and New Zealand has issued a statement about actions prescribers can take to help manage this supply issue.
Anticipated shortage of Peginterferon alfa2a (PEGASYS)(external link)
Alternative brand
Pharmac has funded alternative brands. These have not been reviewed by Medsafe. They need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Listed 10 September 2026
- Chemical: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a
- Presentation: Inj 180 mcg prefilled syringe
- Brand: Pegasys S29
- Pharmacode: 2737728
- Price: $1074.79 (per 4)
The Online Schedule has been updated with this listing. Sector Operations can process claims this month for September dispensing of this product.
Details of previously funded alternatives are available on the Schedule.
Pegasys listings in the Schedule(external link)
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.
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 resolution
Echo Therapeutics is working to ensure this product remains available for everyone who needs it in New Zealand. They are working hard to ensure people can continue to access treatment.
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)