August 2026 Tender Notification

31 August 2026

Medicines Tender

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What we’re doing

Pharmac is announcing recent decisions from its Annual Invitation to Tender (ITT) process. This notification includes:

details about decisions made for medicines included in the 2024/25 ITT,
details about decisions made for medicines included in the 2025/26 ITT, following the consultations for medicines where Pharmac was considering a possible brand change; and
a summary of the feedback we received during the consultation.

You can see the full technical details of the tender decisions in the Tender Results section.

Tender Results - August 2026 Tender Notification [PDF, 492 KB]

Why we’re doing this

Pharmac’s annual tender process allows suppliers to bid to be the main supplier of off-patent medicines. This year’s tender is expected to free up between $30 million and $50 million, which will be reinvested into funding new treatments or making existing treatments available to even more people.

Pharmac consulted on potential brand changes for some medicines included in the 2024/25 ITT in May 2025 and July 2025, and for some medicines included in the 2025/26 ITT in April 2026. Feedback received during these consultations has helped shape our decisions.

How your feedback helped

The feedback received is considered as part of the decision-making process and has helped shape our implementation activities to support people through brand changes. We want to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback. We heard from a range of people including healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and users of medicines. You provided feedback about:

packaging and labelling considerations
the resources and communications needed to support a brand change
the people who may need additional support when undergoing a brand change

Who may be most interested

People who use funded medicines
Healthcare professionals
Advocacy groups
Suppliers

If you have any questions about the decisions in this notification, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.

Tender results – 2024/25 & 2025/26 Invitation to Tender

Pharmac has resolved to award or not award tenders for Principal Supply Status for some products included in the 2024/25 Invitation to Tender dates 31 October 2024 and in the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender dated 3 November 2025.

Some of the Pharmaceuticals that will be delisted when the period of Principal Supply Status commences may be subject to existing listing contracts with Pharmac. Suppliers of Pharmaceuticals that are subject to such contracts should continue to supply their Pharmaceutical under those contracts. Pharmac will continue to subsidise those Pharmaceuticals accordingly until such time as those Pharmaceuticals are delisted.

Notification of Product Changes (NOPC) forms

Please note that for any changes (price change, pack size change, new listing etc) to be effective in the Pharmaceutical Schedule (including Section H), suppliers are required to submit a Notification of Product Changes (NOPC) form to Pharmac, the Pharmacy Guild and the NZULM by:

For new listings, by 4pm on the 12^th of September 2026 or the 5^th of the month prior to listing, whichever is earlier
For price changes, by 4pm on the 12^th of the month prior to the date of subsidy change

Pharmac cannot list a product (and Pharmacies cannot claim) without this information. More information about this process, and a copy of the NOPC form can be found on our website – https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/make-an-application/pharmconnect-make-a-medicine-funding-application/process-for-notification-of-product-changes/

Suppliers are required to ensure that a Pharmacode has been obtained from the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand - our trading arm(external link)) and that a CTPP code has been obtained from the New Zealand Universal List of Medicines - Information For Sponsors(external link). Pharmacodes and CTPP codes must be provided to Pharmac by the 5^th of the month prior to the date of listing, or 10 business days following the market notification date (whichever is earliest). Pharmac cannot list a product (and Pharmacies cannot claim) without the correct Pharmacode.

2025/26 Invitation to Tender – Principal Supply Status applies until 30 June 2029

Community Pharmaceutical tenders – Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule

1. Tenders awarded to currently listed pharmaceuticals where no other brand is listed (no brand change).

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Current pack price	New pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	Date of subsidy change	Principal Supply date
Aripiprazole	Tab 5 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$6.90	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 10 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$6.90	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 15 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 20 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 30 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027

2. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals where at least one other brand is listed (the funded brand will change).

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Current pack price	New pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	Date of subsidy change	Principal Supply date	Brand (Supplier) affected by delisting
Amorolfine	Nail soln 5%; 5 ml glass bottle	$21.87	$16.62	Aporyl (Arrotex)	1 April 2027	1 September 2027	MycoNail (AFT)
Cetirizine hydrochloride	Tab 10 mg; 90 tablet blister pack	$1.71 (per 100)	$1.00	Cetirizine (Ipca) (Miro)	1 March 2027	1 August 2027	Zista (Teva)
Dapsone	Tab 100 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$329.50	$212.98	Dapsomed (Medsurge)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027	Dapsone (Link)
Fluconazole	Cap 50 mg; 28 capsule blister pack	$4.10	$8.00	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex)
Fluconazole	Cap 150 mg; 1 capsule blister pack	$0.45	$2.50	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex) Flucazole (Arrotex)
Fluconazole	Cap 200 mg; 28 capsule blister pack	$8.90	$20.00	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex)
Ibuprofen	Tab 200 mg; 1,000 tablet blister pack	$21.40	$15.90	Ethics Ibuprofen (Multichem)	1 May 2027	1 December 2027	Relieve (Viatris)

3. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule (new investments).

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	Date of Listing	Principal Supply date
Dapsone¹	Tab 50 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$188.28	Dapsomed (Medsurge)	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
¹Dapsone tab 25 mg to be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule on 1 March 2027. Dapsone tab 25 mg is currently supplied by Link Pharmaceuticals under the brand names Dapsone and Dapsone (Rising). Please see below for further detail.

Hospital Pharmaceutical tenders – Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

4. Tenders awarded to currently listed pharmaceuticals where no other brand is listed (no brand change)

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Current pack price	New pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	DV Limit	Date of subsidy change	Principal Supply date
Aripiprazole	Tab 5 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$6.90	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 10 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$6.90	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 15 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 20 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
Aripiprazole	Tab 30 mg; 30 tablet blister pack	$10.50	$7.41	Aripiprazole Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027

5. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals where at least one other brand is listed (the funded brand will change).

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Current pack price	New pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	DV Limit	Date of subsidy change	Principal Supply date	Brand (Supplier) affected by delisting
Amorolfine	Nail soln 5%; 5 ml glass bottle	$21.87	$16.62	Aporyl (Arrotex)	5%	1 April 2027	1 September 2027	MycoNail (AFT)
Ceftazidmine	Inj 1 g vial; 5 vial pack	$25.80 (per 10)	$11.17	Ceftazidime Viatris (Viatris)	5%	1 June 2027	1 November 2027	Ceftazidime Kabi (Fresenius Kabi)
Cetirizine hydrochloride	Tab 10 mg; 90 tablet blister pack	$1.71 (per 100)	$1.00	Cetirizine (Ipca) (Miro)	5%	1 March 2027	1 August 2027	Zista (Teva)
Dapsone	Tab 100 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$329.50	$212.98	Dapsomed (Medsurge)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027	Dapsone (Link)
Fluconazole	Cap 50 mg; 28 capsule blister pack	$4.10	$8.00	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	5%	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex)
Fluconazole	Cap 150 mg; 1 capsule blister pack	$0.45	$2.50	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	5%	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex) Flucazole (Arrotex)
Fluconazole	Cap 200 mg; 28 capsule blister pack	$8.90	$20.00	Ipca-Fluconazole (Miro)	5%	1 May 2027	1 October 2027	Mylan (Arrotex)
Ibuprofen	Tab 200 mg; 1,000 tablet blister pack	$21.40	$15.90	Ethics Ibuprofen (Multichem)	5%	1 May 2027	1 December 2027	Relieve (Viatris)

6. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule (new investments).

Chemical name	Presentation; Pack size and type	Pack price	Principal Supply brand (Supplier)	DV Limit	Date of listing	Principal Supply date
Dapsone¹	Tab 50 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$188.28	Dapsomed (Medsurge)	5%	1 October 2026	1 March 2027
¹Dapsone tab 25 mg to be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule on 1 March 2027. Dapsone tab 25 mg is currently supplied by Link Pharmaceuticals under the brand names Dapsone and Dapsone (Rising). Please see below for further detail.

Dapsone

What’s changing?

This decision will result in a change of the funded brands of dapsone tablets, which are currently supplied by Link Pharmaceuticals under the brand names Dapsone and Dapsone (Rising). The new funded brand of dapsone tablets will be supplied by Medsurge, under the brand name Dapsomed. This decision will also result in the 25 mg tablet being removed from the Pharmaceutical Schedule and replaced with a 50 mg tablet. The new 50 mg tablet can be halved to achieve a 25 mg dose.

Following feedback, we have also made the decision to amend the prescribing restriction for dapsone to allow any relevant specialist to prescribe.

Reason for Change

The change from a 25 mg tablet to a 50 mg tablet is being made because the currently funded dapsone tablets are being discontinued by the manufacturer. We expect stock of the currently funded 25 mg and 50 mg tablets will run out by the end of 2026. Pharmac has not been able to secure alternative supply of Medsafe approved 25 mg tablets.

We have been working with suppliers to manage this discontinuation. Through this decision, Pharmac has been able to secure supply of both 50 mg and 100 mg dapsone tablets, from Medsurge.

Tender declines – Products where no tender is to be awarded for Principal Supply Status

Pharmac has resolved not to award tenders for Principal Supply Status for the following product listed in the 2024/25 Invitation to Tender, dated 31 October 2024.

Chemical Name	Line Item
Iron (as ferric carboxymaltose)	Inj 50 mg per ml, 10 ml vial

What you told us

We consulted on potential brand changes for some medicines included in the 2025/26 ITT in April 2026. Feedback from this consultation reflected a range of views, with some recurring themes from last year’s consultations (May and July 2025). All feedback received has been carefully considered to inform our decisions.

Consultation on possible brand changes through the annual tender - April 2026

CORRECTION July 2025 Tender notification

Earlier this year, we also we also engaged with a range of consumer advocacy representatives to understand what a brand change could mean for people and what support may be needed.

We are continuing to consider feedback relating to medicines included in the May 2025, July 2025 and April 2026 potential brand change consultations that are not included in this notification.

The table below outlines the themes identified in the feedback received for the specific medicines included in this notification.

Theme	Pharmac Comment
Amorolfine
We did not receive any feedback specific to amorolfine.	Key general themes from both rounds of consultation have been considered for this brand change decision.
Aripiprazole
Considerations to brand change as aripiprazole is used to treat mental health conditions.	This decision is to award the current funded brand of aripiprazole tab 5 mg, tab 10 mg, tab 15 mg, tab 20 mg and tab 30 mg, Aripiprazole Sandoz. As there would not be a brand change in this market, there are no changes in the tablet colour, markings, or packaging for most users. The Tender Clinical Advisory Committee reviewed Sandoz’s brand (Aripiprazole Sandoz) of aripiprazole tablets and considered it suitable to be the funded brand of aripiprazole tablets in New Zealand.
Consider tablet quality, colour and markings.
Ceftazidime
We did not receive any feedback specific to ceftazidime.	Key general themes from both rounds of consultation have been considered for this brand change decision.
Cetirizine hydrochloride
Consider the presence of allergens.	Both the current brand, Zista, and new brand, Ipca, contain lactose. The Ipca tablets are identical to the Zista tablets. We consider that the presence of lactose does not pose any health risk to users who may be lactose intolerant due to the extremely small amount in the tablets. The Tender Clinical Advisory Committee reviewed Miro’s brand (Ipca) of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets and considered it suitable to be the funded brand of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets in New Zealand.
Consider tablet quality, colour and markings.

Dapsone
Feedback about the discontinuation of the 25 mg for low dose use. It would be important that the proposed 50 mg tablet is scored to allow easy halving.	The current supplier is discontinuing the 25 mg tablet, and we are not aware of any other Medsafe approved tablets of this strength. The new 50 mg tablet can be halved and quartered to achieve 25 mg and 12.5 mg doses respectively.
Noted no issues with a brand change but requested that rheumatologists be added to the list of specialists able to prescribe dapsone.	We have amended the prescribing restriction for dapsone to allow any relevant specialist to prescribe.
Fluconazole
Consider tablet quality, colour and markings.	The Tender Clinical Advisory Committee reviewed Miro’s brand (Ipca) of fluconazole capsules and considered it suitable to be the funded brand of fluconazole capsules in New Zealand.
Ibuprofen
Requested reassurance that the new brand would be as safe, effective, and reliable as the current brand.	Any brand awarded through the tender process must meet New Zealand regulatory requirements for quality, safety, and efficacy and be considered therapeutically equivalent to the currently funded brand.
Negative experiences following brand changes can contribute to anxiety and reduced confidence in future changes.	We acknowledge these experiences and recognise the importance of supporting confidence throughout the transition to the new brand. We will provide clear and practical information at key milestones before and during the 7-month transition period. This will include information on the changes and the reasons for change. Pharmacists and prescribers will also receive communications about the brand change. Pharmac is committed to ensuring that any brand change is managed carefully, with patient safety, continuity of care, and confidence in treatment remaining key considerations throughout the implementation process.
Requested clear, accessible information about the reasons for the change, product differences, allergens, manufacturing, and supply.
Emphasised the importance of maintaining treatment stability and having options available if the funded brand is unsuitable.	The Alternative Brand Allowance allows patients to apply for funded access to a different brand if their prescriber considers the new brand to be clinically unsuitable for their needs.
Assurance that the new brand will be reliably available long term.	We consider suppliers’ supply chains and ability to reduce supply risk when assessing tender proposals. The new brand, Ethics, will be the main funded brand until 30 June 2029 and will remain funded thereafter, subject to future procurement decisions.