Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursosan) 250 mg capsules: Supply issue

Supply issue Section 29A Active

The supplier may run out of Ursosan 250 mg capsules (Pharmacode: 2397528) before the next shipment arrives.

3 July 2026 | Shipment arrived

A shipment of Ursosan has arrived. Wholesalers may require any stock of Apo-Ursodeoxycholic Acid to be used up before Ursosan is available. The Apo product will remain funded for some time to allow pharmacists to dispense and claim for it.

Affected product

The supplier may run out of the following product before the next shipment arrives. There was a supply issue earlier this year, this may have impacted the available supply.

  • Chemical: Ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Presentation: Cap 250 mg
  • Brand: Ursosan
  • Pharmacode: 2397528
  • Subsidy: $33.95
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

People who take Ursosan

A new brand has been funded temporarily to ensure you can continue to access the medicine you need. The new brand is called, Apo-Ursodeoxycholic Acid.

Same active ingredient, same effect

This brand has the same active ingredient in the same quantity as your usual Ursosan. It is designed to work in your body the same way, you should not notice any difference.

Not Medsafe approved

Medsafe has not reviewed this medicine so it is not approved for use in New Zealand. However, it is approved in other countries.

Your prescriber will tell you what this means before they prescribe it. You can read more information about unapproved medicine on the Healthify website.

Unapproved medicines | Healthify.nz(external link)

The box is mostly white, it has an orange band with the brand name and details written in white, there's a blue band around the bottom. The blister pack has silver foil with Apo-Ursodeoxycholic Acid written prominently..
Apo-Ursodeoxycholic Acid box and blister pack

Alternative funded 1 July 2026

We have funded the following product as an alternative to ensure people can continue to access ursodeoxycholic acid. Medsafe has not reviewed this medicine so it will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. 

  • Chemical: Ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Presentation: Cap 250 mg
  • Brand: Apo-Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Pharmacode: 2729504
  • Subsidy: $33.95
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

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. 

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

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

Flyer to support conversations with patients

Expected resupply 

The next shipment is expected to arrive by the end of June 2026. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the country.

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)