Valaciclovir (Vaclovir) 1,000 mg: supply issue
Due to delays at the manufacturing plant, Viatris' 1,000 mg Vaclovir tablets (Pharmacode: 2483912) will run out.
Affected product
Due to an issue at Viatris' manufacturing plant, there is limited stock of the following product:
- Chemical: Valaciclovir
- Presentation: Tab 1,000 mg
- Brand: Vaclovir
- Pharmacode: 2483912
- Subsidy: $17.78
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Schedule listing for valaciclovir(external link)
People who take Vaclovir
Unfortunately, your usual brand of valaciclovir is not available for a short time. Pharmac has funded two different brands to make sure you can continue to access your medicine. These brands have the same amount of the active ingredient as your usual brand. They are designed to work the same way in your body.
Medsafe has not reviewed these products. However, they are approved for use in other countries. Your doctor and pharmacist have extra steps to follow because these medicines aren't approved for use in New Zealand. Please talk to them if you have any questions.
You can learn more about Unapproved medicines on the Healthify website
Unapproved medicines | Healthify(external link)
Alternative products
From 1 June 2026, two alternative brands of the 1,000 mg are funded. Either may be available. Please dispense these products rather than two x 500 mg. This will help prevent an out of stock with the lower dose.
Neither product has been approved by Medsafe so they need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. Section 29 and wastage apply.
Pharmacists: Please note the change in pack size (21 instead of Vaclovir's 30)
Brand: Valaciclovir Mylan
- Pharmacode: 2725991
- Subsidy: $12.45
- Measure / Qty: per 21
Brand: Valaciclovir Viatris
- Pharmacode: 2726009
- Subsidy: $12.45
- Measure / Qty: per 21
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)
- General Supply Issue A5 Flier [PDF 111 KB]
- Unapproved Medicine flier A5 [PDF 131 KB]
Resupply July 2026
A complete resupply is expected in July 2026.
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)