Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tamsulosin-Rex): Supply issue
Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tamsulosin-Rex) cap 400 mcg will move to monthly dispensing from 1 August 2026.
18 August 2026 | Alternative listed
As a contingency, Pharmac has funded a s29A alternative from 1 September 2026. We have done this in case the supply of Tamsulosin-Rex runs out before resupply.
The next shipment is expected early September. However, it can take weeks for that stock to reach pharmacies around the country.
Affected product
Stock of REX Medical's tamsulosin hydrochloride cap 400 mcg is limited.
- Brand: Tamsulosin-Rex
- Pharmacode: 2438526
- Price: $28.56
- Measure / Qty: per 100
Schedule listing for Tamsulosin hydrochloride(external link)
Monthly dispensing
To help make the available supply of Tamsulosin-Rex last longer while supply is limited, tamsulosin 400 mcg capsules will be temporarily changed to monthly dispensing from 1 August 2026.
Tamsulosin cap 400 mcg will return to 3-monthly dispensing as soon as we can.
Why is this happening?
By moving to monthly dispensing, this can allow limited supply of tablets be available more evenly across the country. We expect the supply issue to resolve by late September 2026.
Alternative listed from 1 September 2026
To ensure people can continue to access this medicine, Pharmac has funded a temporary alternative. This product may not be needed, we have listed it just in case the remaining stock of the Rex brand runs out before resupply.
This medicine has not been reviewed by Medsafe so must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
- Chemical: Tamsulosin hydrochloride
- Presentation: Cap 400 mcg
- Brand: Aurobindo Tamsulosin
- Pharmacode: 2735865
- Subsidy: $28.56
- Measure / Qty: per 100
- Section 29A and wastage applies.
People who take tamsulosin: Alternative not Medsafe reviewed
This medicine has not been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. However, it has been approved for use in other countries. Your prescriber will discuss this with you before they prescribe it. You can read more information about unapproved medicine on the Healthify website.
Unapproved medicines | Healthify.nz(external link)
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.
- Unapproved Medicine flier A5 [PDF 131 KB]
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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