Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets: Supply issue
Due to an issue at the manufacturing plant, there is a supply issue affecting the 25 mg and 50 mg strengths of Vedafil brand sildenafil.
On this page
24 September 2026 | 25 mg alternative funded from 1 October
The 25 mg tablets of Sildenafil (Crescent) will be funded from 1 October.
Affected product
Due to a manufacturing issue, the 25 mg and 50 mg Vedafil brand tablets are in short supply.
Pharmacodes: 25 mg 2377764 | 50 mg 2377780.
The 100 mg tablets are not currently affected by this issue.
Schedule listing for sildenafil(external link)
Large private market for sildenafil
Sildenafil is funded for a small number of reasons, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon, and erectile dysfunction due to spinal cord injury.
Sildenafil has a large private market (unfunded) in New Zealand. This creates additional challenges when trying to preserve limited stock for people with funded access.
Reserving stock for people with funded access
Viatris, the supplier, has communicated to pharmacies about reserving stock of sildenafil for the funded market.
Viatris' letter to pharmacies about sildenafil supply issue [PDF, 261 KB]
Alternatives
To ensure people can continue to access this medicine, we are funding alternative brands. These brands contain the same active ingredient in the same quantity. They are designed to work in your body the same way.
Medsafe has not reviewed these medicines. As such, they need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
25 mg alternative brand
We are funding Sildenafil (Crescent) from 1 October 2026. It is being listed S29 with wastage claimable.
Chemical: Sildenafil
- Presentation: Tab 25 mg
- Brand: Sildenafil (Crescent)
- Pharmacode: 2736020
- Subsidy: $0.72
- Measure / Qty: per 4
Wastage is claimable.
50 mg Amarox funded from 10 August 2026
Sildenafil (Amarox) 50 mg tablet (Pharmacode: 2735962) was funded in the community from 10 August 2026. It was available from Orspec from mid-August 2026.
Sildenafil (Amarox) has not been reviewed by Medsafe so it needs to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act.
It was funded on the Hospital Medicines List from 1 September 2026.
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 a 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)
People who take funded sildenafil
Pharmac is working with suppliers to help maintain access to sildenafil for people who receive this medicine for funded conditions.
The alternative brands contain the same active ingredient in the same amount as the New Zealand approved brand you usually take (Vedafil).
Neither the Amarox nor Crescent brands have been reviewed by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. However, they are used in other countries. Prescribers will need to explain what this means before they can prescribe it for you.
About unapproved medicines - Healthify(external link)
Expected resupply
We are working with the supplier to understand when Vedafil will be available again.
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)