Risperidone (0.5 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg tablets): Supply issue
Due to an issue at the factory, there is a supply issue affecting Risperidone (Teva) tablets 0.5 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg tablets.
10 September 2026 | 3 mg risperidone affected
Supply of the 3 mg Teva Risperidone is going to run out. We have funded an alternative from 10 September 2026, Relonchem (Pharmacode 2737868).
Affected product
Due to an issue at the manufacturer, there is a supply issue affecting the following products:
| Brand | Presentation | Pharmacode | Subsidy | Measure/Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risperidone (Teva) | Tab 0.5 mg | 2466899 | $2.17 | per 60 |
| Risperidone (Teva) | Tab 2 mg | 2466910 | $2.72 | per 60 |
| Risperidone (Teva) | Tab 3 mg | 2466929 | $4.50 | per 60 |
Schedule listing: Risperidone(external link)
The other presentations of risperidone are not affected by this supply issue.
Information for people who take risperidone
To make sure you can continue to access funded treatment, Pharmac has funded different brands of risperidone, Risperidone Sandoz and Relonchem.
They are different brands of the same medicine. The tablets contain the same active ingredients in the same quantities as your usual brand. The tablets and packaging will look different.
While these brands have not been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand, they are used in other countries. Your prescriber will discuss this with you before they prescribe the new brand.
More information about unapproved medicines | Healthify website(external link)
Alternative 3 mg brand listed 10 September
To ensure continuity of supply, from 10 September 2026, Pharmac funded an alternate brand Relonchem (Pharmacode: 2737868). Pharmacies should be able to order this from mid-September 2026.
While this is an out-of-cycle listing, pharmacies can claim any dispensings as usual from 10 September 2026.
- Chemical: Risperidone
- Presentation: Tab 3 mg
- Brand: Relonchem
- Pharmacode: 2737868
- Subsidy: $12.45
- Measure / Qty: per 60
This product has not been reviewed by Medsafe. It must be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act.
We know supplying a medicine under section 29A is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to continue to access their treatment without interruption.
3 mg tablets cannot be halved
Relonchem 3 mg tablets cannot be halved. The score line is to break the tablet for ease of swallowing; not to divide the tablet into equal doses
- Risperidone Relonchem supply issue [PDF 112 KB]
Alternative 0.5 mg and 2 mg funded from 1 June 2026
We funded Risperidone Sandoz from 1 June 2026. This product is not Medsafe approved so will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Brand: Risperidone Sandoz
- Presentation: Tab 0.5 mg
- Pharmacode: 2693143
- Subsidy: $4.01
- Measure/Qty: per 60
- Presentation: Tab 2 mg
- Pharmacode: 2693178
- Subsidy: $5.38
- Measure/Qty: per 60
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.
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
- Risperidone supply issue (May 26) [PDF 205 KB]
Resupply of Teva product
We are working with the supplier to understand when the Teva brand 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)