Sumatriptan (Sumagran) 50 and 100 mg tabs: Supply issue
Due to an issue at the factory, the supplier will run out of Sumagran brand sumatriptan. An alternative brand is funded from 1 October 2026.
On this page
Affected product
The supplier will run out of the following:
Sumatriptan
Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Brand: Sumagran
- Pharmacode: 2605848
- Subsidy: $14.41
- Measure / Qty: per 90
Presentation: Tab 100 mg
- Brand: Sumagran
- Pharmacode: 2605856
- Subsidy: $22.68
- Measure / Qty: per 90
The sumatriptan injection (Clustran) is unaffected by this issue.
Schedule listing for sumatriptan(external link)
Information for people who take sumatriptan
We have funded the Sumatriptan Viatris brand to ensure you can continue to access your medicine. The Viatris brand contains the same active ingredient (sumatriptan) in the same amount as the New Zealand approved brand you usually take (Sumagran).
Sumatriptan Viatris comes in bottles of nine loose tablets, rather than blister packs like Sumagran.
Sumatriptan Viatris has not yet been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. Prescribers will discuss with you what this means this before they prescribe it.
You can read more information about unapproved medicine on Healthify.
Unapproved medicines | Healthify(external link)
Listing details for Sumatriptan Viatris
This brand is funded from 1 October 2026. It is not Medsafe approved and must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Brand: Sumatriptan Viatris
Presentation: Tab 50 mg
- Pharmacode: 2733862
- Subsidy: $1.44
- Measure / Qty: per 9
Presentation: Tab 100 mg
- Pharmacode: 2733870
- Subsidy: $2.27
- Measure / Qty: per 9
- Unapproved Medicine flier A5 [PDF 131 KB]
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)
Expected resupply
We are working with the supplier to understand with the Sumagran 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)