CORRECTION to February 2026 Tender notification

2 March 2026

Medicines Tender

Removal of the paracetamol suppository 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg tender notification. Please note that these tenders are still under evaluation and were included in the tender notification due to an administrative error.
Amendment to the DV limit for triamcinolone acetonide, inj 10 mg per ml, 1 ml to align with Schedule Two of the Invitation to Tender dated 3 November 2025.

Corrections in strikethrough and additions in bold below.

What we’re doing

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

details about decisions on medicines included in the 2024/25 ITT and in the 2025/26 ITT

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

The table below provides a summary of the outcomes for the remaining unresolved medicines included in the May 2025 and July 2025 additional brand change consultations.

Medicine	What medicine is used for	Outcome
Calcitriol cap 0.25 mcg	A form of vitamin D, used for people with severe kidney disease to lower their parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.	Still under consideration.
Calcitriol cap 0.5 mcg		Still under consideration.
Calcium gluconate Inj 10%	Used to treat acute hypocalcaemia; hypocalcaemic tetany; hyperkalaemia with secondary cardiac toxicity; and hypermagnesaemia.	Still under consideration.
Carmustine inj 100 mg vial	Used to treat multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and brain tumours	Still under consideration.
Iron (as Ferric Carboxymaltose) inj 50 mg per ml, 10 ml vial	An iron infusion used to treat iron-deficiency or anemia.	Still under consideration.
Ivermectin tab 3 mg	Used to treat certain types of parasite infections, and for scabies when other treatments have not worked well.	Still under consideration.
Methenamine (hexamine) Hippurate tab 1 g	Used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).	Still under consideration.
Nilotinib cap 150 mg	Used to treat newly diagnosed chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia, chronic or accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia resistant or intolerant to previous therapy.	Still under consideration.
Nilotinib cap 200 mg		Still under consideration.
Raltegravir potassium tab 600 mg	Used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.	Still under consideration.
Sunscreens, propriety SPF 50+ or greater	Used to help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) light when outdoors.	Still under consideration.
Teriparatide inj 250 mcg per ml	Used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss).	Still under consideration.
Water for injection purified for inj, 500 ml bag	Used to dissolve or dilute medicines which may then be injected. It can also be used for washing and cleaning purposes during minor surgical procedures, and to clean wounds.	Still under consideration.
Xylometazoline nasal spray 0.1%	Used to help nasal congestion.	Still under consideration.

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.

Following feedback from previous brand changes, Pharmac introduced a new consultation step to better engage with stakeholders. In response, we received feedback on the items included in the 2024/25 ITT, which helped shape our decisions.

How your feedback helped

The feedback received was considered as part of the decision-making process and has helped shape our implementation activities to support people through this brand change. 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.

Correction to February 2026 Tender Notification

Removal of the paracetamol suppository 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg tender notification. Please note that these tenders are still under evaluation and were included in the tender notification due to an administrative error.
Amendment to the DV limit for triamcinolone acetonide, inj 10 mg per ml, 1 ml to align with Schedule Two of the Invitation to Tender dated 3 November 2025.

Corrections in strikethrough and additions in bold below.

Correction to 26 February 2026 Notification [PDF 445 KB]

Tender results – Invitation to Tender 2024/24 & 2025/26

Pharmac has resolved to award or not award tenders for Principal Supply Status for some products included in the 2024/25 Invitation to Tender dated 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 March 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 –

Process for notification of product changes (external link)

Suppliers are required to ensure that a Pharmacode has been obtained from the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand(external link) and that a CTPP code has been obtained from the New Zealand Universal List of Medicines(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.

Correction to 26 February 2026 Notification [PDF 445 KB]

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

Community Pharmaceutical tenders – Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule

The decisions were as follows:

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
Betamethasone dipropionate¹	Crm 0.05%; 50 g tube OP	$36.00	$36.00	Diprosone (Organon)	1 September 2026	1 February 2027
Betamethasone dipropionate¹	Oint 0.05%; 50 g tube OP	$36.00	$36.00	Diprosone (Organon)	1 September 2026	1 February 2027
Methylprednisolone aceponate	Crm 0.1%; 15 g tube OP	$4.95	$4.95	Advantan (LEO Pharma)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Methylprednisolone aceponate	Oint 0.1%; 15 g tube OP	$4.95	$4.95	Advantan (LEO Pharma)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Oxybutynin	Tab 5 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$5.42	$5.42	Alchemy Oxybutynin (Alchemy)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 125 mg; 10 suppository pack	$4.29	$4.29	Gacet (AFT)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 250 mg; 10 suppository pack	$5.39	$5.39	Gacet (AFT)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 500 mg; 50 suppository pack	$16.55	$16.55	Gacet (AFT)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Tamoxifen citrate¹	Tab 10 mg; 60 tablet blister pack	$15.00	$15.00	Tamoxifen Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Tamoxifen citrate¹	Tab 20 mg; 60 tablet blister pack	$5.32	$5.32	Tamoxifen Sandoz (Sandoz)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Triamcinolone acetonide	Inj 10 mg per ml, 1 ml; 5 glass ampoule pack	$21.42	$21.42	Kenacort-A 10 (Aspen)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Triamcinolone acetonide	Inj 40 mg per ml, 1 ml; 5 glass ampoule pack	$52.63	$52.63	Kenacort-A 40 (Aspen)	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
¹This product will be supplied at the Price from the 1^st day of the month prior to the listing date, as per Schedule 4 clause 2.3©(ii) of the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender.

Hospital Pharmaceutical tenders – Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

2. 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
Betamethasone dipropionate¹	Crm 0.05%; 50 g tube OP	$36.00	$36.00	Diprosone (Organon)	5%	1 September 2026	1 February 2027
Betamethasone dipropionate¹	Oint 0.05%; 50 g tube OP	$36.00	$36.00	Diprosone (Organon)	5%	1 September 2026	1 February 2027
Ephedrine¹	Inj 3 mg per ml, 10 ml; 10 prefilled syringe pack	$142.00	$142.00	Ephedrine Juno (Arrotex)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Macrogol 3350 with potassium chloride and sodium chloride with/without sodium sulfate, sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid	Powd for oral soln 100g with potassium chloride 1g, sodium chloride 2g and sodium sulfate 9g per sach(1), powd for oral soln 40g with potassium chloride 1.2g and sodium chloride 3.2g per sach(1) and powd for oral soln ascorbic acid 7.54g and sodium ascorbate 48.11g per sach(1); 3 sachet box	$18.52	$18.52	Plenvu (Norgine)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Methylprednisolone aceponate	Crm 0.1%; 15 g tube OP	$4.95	$4.95	Advantan (LEO Pharma)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Methylprednisolone aceponate	Oint 0.1%; 15 g tube OP	$4.95	$4.95	Advantan (LEO Pharma)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Oxybutynin	Tab 5 mg; 100 tablet blister pack	$5.42	$5.42	Alchemy Oxybutynin (Alchemy)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 125 mg; 10 suppository pack	$4.29	$4.29	Gacet (AFT)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 250 mg; 10 suppository pack	$5.39	$5.39	Gacet (AFT)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Paracetamol	Suppos 500 mg; 50 suppository pack	$16.55	$16.55	Gacet (AFT)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Rifampicin¹	Inj 600 mg; 1 vial pack	$134.98	$134.98	Rifadin (Sanofi)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Tamoxifen citrate¹	Tab 10 mg; 60 tablet blister pack	$15.00	$15.00	Tamoxifen Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Tamoxifen citrate¹	Tab 20 mg; 60 tablet blister pack	$5.32	$5.32	Tamoxifen Sandoz (Sandoz)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Triamcinolone acetonide	Inj 10 mg per ml, 1 ml; 5 glass ampoule pack	$21.42	$21.42	Kenacort-A 10 (Aspen)	10% 5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
Triamcinolone acetonide	Inj 40 mg per ml, 1 ml; 5 glass ampoule pack	$52.63	$52.63	Kenacort-A 40 (Aspen)	5%	1 July 2026	1 December 2026
¹This product will be supplied at the Price from the 1^st day of the month prior to the listing date, as per Schedule 4 clause 2.3(c)(ii) of the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender.

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 products listed in the 2024/25 Invitation to Tender, dated 31 October 2024.

Chemical Name	Line Item
Clobazam	Liq

Pharmac has resolved not to award tenders for Principal Supply Status for the following products listed in the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender, dated 3 November 2025.

Chemical Name	Line Item
Adapalene (current access)	Crm 0.1%
Adapalene (widened access)	Crm 0.1%
Adapalene (current access)	Gel 0.1%
Adapalene (widened access)	Gel 0.1%
Alfacalcidol	Cap 0.25 mcg
Alfacalcidol	Cap 1 mcg
Alfacalcidol	Oral drops 2 mcg per ml
Amiloride hydrochloride with furosemide	Tab 5 mg with furosemide 40 mg
Atracurium besylate	Inj 10 mg per ml, 2.5 ml
Dexamethasone with framycetin and gramicidin	Ear/eye drops 500 mcg with framycetin sulphate 5 mg and gramicidin 50 mcg per ml
Isosorbide mononitrate	Tab 20 mg
Isosorbide mononitrate	Tab long-acting 40 mg
Lidocaine [lignocaine] hydrochloride with adrenaline	Inj 1% with adrenaline 1:100,000, 20 ml vial
Lidocaine [lignocaine] hydrochloride with adrenaline	Inj 2% with adrenaline 1:200,000, 20 ml vial
Nortriptyline hydrochloride	Tab 10 mg
Nortriptyline hydrochloride	Tab 25 mg
Propranolol	Oral liq 4 mg per ml
Tramadol hydrochloride	Inj 50 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule
Tramadol hydrochloride	Inj 50 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
Tramadol hydrochloride	Tab sustained-release 100 mg
Tramadol hydrochloride	Tab sustained-release 150 mg
Tramadol hydrochloride	Tab sustained-release 200 mg
Malathion	Funded with restriction - 0.5%
Malathion	Funded without restriction - 0.5%
Perindopril with amlodipine	Tab 10 mg with amlodipine 10 mg
Perindopril with amlodipine	Tab 10 mg with amlodipine 5 mg
Perindopril with amlodipine	Tab 5 mg with amlodipine 10 mg
Perindopril with amlodipine	Tab 5 mg with amlodipine 5 mg
Rotigotine	Transdermal patch 2 mg per 24 hours
Rotigotine	Transdermal patch 4 mg per 24 hours
Rotigotine	Transdermal patch 6 mg per 24 hours
Rotigotine	Transdermal patch 8 mg per 24 hours
Sulfadiazine silver	1%

What you told us

Please refer to the July 2025 Tender Notification II (external link) which outlines the themes identified in the consultation feedback received for medicines included in the 2024/25 ITT.