Varenicline (Champix): Your brand is changing to Pharmacor Varenicline

Brand change Active

Between 1 January and 1 June 2026, varenicline will be changing brand.

Same active ingredient, in the same quantities

The brand of varenicline is changing from Champix to Pharmacor Varenicline. Pharmacor Varenicline contains the same active ingredient, in the same quantities as Champix. It should work in your body the same way.

Medsafe has reviewed Pharmacor Varenicline. Medsafe has found that the new brand meets international standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness.

So what's changing?

The packaging is different. The starter pack will have 2 wallet packs in the box (weeks 1–2 and weeks 3–4). The starter pack is still a blister pack with instructions how to change your dose over time.

The 1 mg continuation pack will change from a blister pack to a bottle (weeks 5–12)

The Starter pack box has two blister packs, each blister pack folds in 2 and covers 2 weeks' treatment. The remaining tablets come in a bottle, with bold red lettering..

Why is this happening?

This is a tender brand change. Every year, Pharmac runs a tender process to create competition among suppliers to supply many medicines used by New Zealanders.

The tender helps Pharmac manage the costs of medicines. Any savings we make are returned to the medicines budget to help pay for new medicines.

Your brand change is helping fund more medicines for more New Zealanders.

Information for pharmacists

Pharmacor Varenicline will be listed from 1 January 2026. From 1 June 2026, it will have principal supply status and Champix will be delisted. 

Pharmacodes

  • Champix starter pack: 2609363
  • Champix tab 1 mg: 2251604
  • Pharmacor Varenicline starter pack: 2719932
  • Pharmacor Varenicline tab 1 mg: 2719940

Thank you for the time you spend supporting people through a change of brand. You can use this flier to support conversations about the change.

Patient flier

Medsafe information on safe prescribing

Medsafe has issued information to support safe prescribing of varenicline.

Update: Varenicline and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions(external link)

Prescriber Update Vol 38 No.4 - December 2017 [PDF](external link)

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)

Pharmac is a government agency. We do not sell medicines or related products.