Valaciclovir (Vaclovir): supply issue
Due to delays at the manufacturing plant, Viatris' Vaclovir tablets 500 mg and 1000 mg have run out.
20 October 2026 | Update
We have had reports that people have had difficulty accessing valaciclovir. Stock of the funded alternative is constrained. More shipments are arriving and being released over the coming weeks.
Valaciclovir Viatris is the available brand of the 500 mg tablets. Valaciclovir Mylan is the available brand of the 1000 mg tablets. The Mylan brand has not been reviewed by Medsafe, so needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
Viatris expects Vaclovir to be available again by March 2027.
Affected products
Due to an issue at Viatris' manufacturing plant, there is no stock of the following products:
Chemical: Valaciclovir
- Presentation: Tab 1,000 mg
- Brand: Vaclovir
- Pharmacode: 2483912
- Subsidy: $17.78
- Measure / Qty: per 30
- Chemical: Valaciclovir
- Presentation: Tab 500 mg
- Brand: Vaclovir
- Pharmacode: 2483904
- Subsidy: $9.64
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Schedule listing for Valaciclovir(external link)
People who take Vaclovir
Unfortunately, your usual brand of valaciclovir is not available. Pharmac has funded other brands of the 1000 mg and 500 mg tablets 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 the 1000 mg Mylan brand. However, this brand is used in other countries. Your doctor and pharmacist have extra steps to follow because this brand isn'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
Alternative products
500 mg tablets
From 1 July 2026, an alternative brand of the 500 mg tablets was funded. Pharmacists, please note the pack size difference.
- Brand: Valaciclovir Viatris tab 500 mg
- Pharmacode: 2725983
- Subsidy: $13.50
- Measure / Qty: per 42
Valaciclovir Viatris tab 500 mg tab has some French text on the blister packaging and has been repackaged into boxes with English text.
This product was approved by Medsafe on 4 September 2026. It can be prescribed and dispensed as normal.
1,000 mg tablets
From 1 June 2026, two alternative brands of the 1,000 mg are funded. Valaciclovir Mylan is currently available. The 1000 mg Viatris brand is not available.
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 rules apply.
Pharmacists: Please note the pack size difference)
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)
- Valaciclovir (Vaclovir) Supply issue A5 flyer [PDF 1 MB]
- Unapproved Medicine flier A5 [PDF 131 KB]
Resupply in 2027
The supplier, Viatris, expects stock of Vaclovir to be available again by March 2027. Stock of the alternatives continues to arrive and be released.
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)