Flecainide acetate (Tambocor) Inj 10 mg per ml, 15 ml ampoule: Supply issue

Affected product

The supply issue may have been affected by the existing stock of this product expiring in September 2024. 

Chemical: Flecainide acetate

• Presentation: Inj 10 mg per ml, 15 ml ampoule
• Brand: Tambocor
• Pharmacode: 2447363
• Subsidy: $108.16
• Measure / Qty: per 5

Alternative products

A second alternative product has been listed from 1 January 2025. Neither alternative is Medsafe registered. It will have to be prescribed and dispensed in line with the Medicines Act.

Brand: Almarytm

• Pharmacode: 2694956
• Subsidy: $102.79
• Measure / Qty: per 5

Brand: Tambocor German 

• Pharmacode: 2696967
• Subsidy: $108.16
• Measure / Qty: per 5

Schedule listing for Flecainide acetate(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. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Expected re-supply

The next shipment is expected to arrive in June 2025. It can take another one to two weeks for the supply to make its way around the country to pharmacies.

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.

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