Teriparatide (Teva): Supply issue
Teva, the supplier, is unable to supply its brand of teriparatide injections from the end of February 2026. An alternative brand has been found.
Your temporary brand is Forteo
We have funded the Forteo brand of teriparatide to ensure you can continue to access the treatment you need. You may be familiar with the brand because it was funded in New Zealand previously.
The product being supplied is made for the US market, not New Zealand. So it has US labelling. It still contains the same active ingredient in the same amount. It uses the same style of injection method as your usual brand.
The US Forteo brand has not been approved by Medsafe. This means it needs to be supplied as an unapproved medicine. Your prescriber and pharmacist will talk to you more about this, but you can also find information on the Healthify website.
Information for health care professionals
Forteo brand will be funded from 1 March 2026. It is not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
- Presentation: Inj 250 mcg per ml, 2.4 ml
- Brand: Forteo S29
- Pharmacode: 2724324
- Subsidy: $490.00
- Measure / Qty: per 1
- Teriparatide supply issue flyer Feb 2026 [PDF 260 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 a supply issue.
We know supplying an unapproved medicine. 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, Teva, the supplier, to understand when the New Zealand product is 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)