Zinc (Zincaps) 50 mg capsule: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

There is a supply issue affecting Zincaps (Pharmacode: 258253).

25 November 2025 | Resupply delayed

The supplier advises that resupply has been delayed until February 2026. We are working to find alternatives so people can continue to access treatment. 

Affected product

There have been delays at the factory making Zincaps. The following product will be unavailable by mid-October 2025. 

  • Chemical: Zinc sulphate
  • Presentation: Cap 137.4 mg (50 mg elemental)
  • Brand: Zincaps
  • Pharmacode: 258253
  • Subsidy: $11.00
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

Pharmac is working with individual pharmacies to ensure supply is available for people with rare disorders.

Alternative product

We have listed an alternative from 1 October 2025 to ensure people can still access treatment. This product is exactly the same but is packaged for Australia. The key difference is that the New Zealand label states that the medicine is prescription only.

  • Chemical: Zinc sulphate
  • Brand: Zincaps
  • Presentation: Cap 137.4 mg (50 mg elemental)  
  • Pharmacode: 2714019
  • Subsidy: $11.00
  • Measure / Qty: per 100
  • Unapproved medicine (Section 29) and wastage applies
The brand name, Zincaps, appears identically on both labels but there are other small differences between the 2 countries' labels..
Zincaps labels (the NZ label has "prescription only medicine")

Please keep Zincaps S29 in dispensary

The Australian product does not have the ‘Prescription Medicine’ classification statement, because it is supplied for general sale in Australia. Please ensure the Australian Zincaps are kept in the dispensary and dispensed as a prescription-only medicine.

Limited supply of Zincaps S29

There is not enough stock of the alternative to cover the entire out of stock period. We are currently looking into alternatives.

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website(external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Expected resupply February 2026

The supplier, Arrotex, expects the Medsafe-registered product will be available again in February 2026.

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)