Barium sulphate (various) Oral liquids: Hospital supply issue
Challenges to the supply of barium products is on-going and a global issue.
12 March 2026 | Supplies constrained
Despite some deliveries of barium products, supply remains constrained across all barium products.
Affected products
There is constrained supply of all barium sulphate products. This is due to global constraints on getting barium for these contrast media products. All suppliers are warning of on-going challenges to supply.
Hospitals will need to discuss availability directly with suppliers.
HML listing for barium sulphate(external link)
What's Pharmac doing?
We are working with Health NZ to identify alternative products.
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.
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Pharmac is a government agency. We do not sell medicines or related products.