Barium sulphate (various) Oral liquids: Hospital supply issue

Last Updated: 11 June 2026

Supply issue Hospital only Active

Challenges to the supply of barium products is on-going and a global issue.

11 June 2026 | Supply update

Supply of barium products remains constrained and is not expected to improve. Two products are currently out of stock.

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.

Update on constrained products:

Neulumex Single bottle (Pharmacode: 2683075) There is ample supply of the 12-bottle pack.
Tagitol V (Pharmacode: 2469138) Resupply due in October 2026
Varibar Nectar (Pharmacode: 2469146) Resupply due in October 2026.

Hospitals will need to discuss availability of alternatives 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.