May 2026 Tender notification

Calcium gluconate inj 10%

Used to treat acute hypocalcaemia; hypocalcaemic tetany; hyperkalaemia with secondary cardiac toxicity; and hypermagnesaemia.

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).

Brand change.

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.

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.

Methenamine (hexamine) hippurate

Tab 1 g; 100 tablet bottle pack

$19.95

$13.80

U-Tract (Miro)

1 December 2026

1 May 2027

Hiprex (Inova)

Methenamine (hexamine) hippurate

Tab 1 g; 100 tablet bottle pack

$19.95

$13.80

U-Tract (Miro)

5%

1 December 2026

1 May 2027

Hiprex (Inova)

Magnesium sulphate

Inj 2 mmol per ml, 5 ml ampoule; 10 ampoule pack

$37.53

$26.27

Martindale (Max Health)

1 July 2026

1 February 2027

Ketamine

Inj 100 mg per ml, 2 ml vial; 5 vial pack

$91.98

$91.98

Ketalar (Pfizer)

1 August 2026 

1 January 2027

Cetirizine hydrochloride

Oral liq 1 mg per ml; 200 ml bottle

$3.99

$2.64

Noumed Cetirizine Hayfever & Allergy Relief (Noumed)

1 November 2026

1 April 2027

Histaclear (AFT)

Colecalciferol

Oral liq 10 mcg per drop (400 iu per drop); 20 ml dropper bottle (OP)

$9.00 (per 5 ml)

$5.90

Multichem (Multichem)

1 March 2027

1 August 2027

Clinicians (Healthcare by Douglas)

Dimethicone

Crm 10%; 480g pump bottle (OP)

$4.52 (per 460 g)

$3.60

EVARA Dimethicone 10% Cream (Evara)

1 October 2026

1 March 2027

healthE Dimethicone 10% (Jaychem)

Entecavir

Tab 0.5 mg; 30 tablet blister pack

$12.04

$6.73

Entecavir Sandoz (Sandoz)

1 October 2026

1 March 2027

Entecavir (Rex) (Rex Medical)

Macrogol 3350 with potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride  

Powder for oral soln 13.125 g with potassium chloride 46.6 mg, sodium bicarbonate 178.5 mg and sodium chloride 350.7 mg; 30 sachet pack

$10.15

$7.40

Ethics Macrogol with Electrolytes (Multichem)

1 February 2027

1 July 2027

Molaxole (Arrotex) (Pharmacode:2718332)

Movicol (Norgine)

(Pharmacode:2194864)*

Molaxole (Arrotex) (Pharmacode: 2519887)*

Moxifloxacin

Tab 400 mg; 5 tablet blister pack

$42.00

$25.98

Moximed (Medsurge)

1 July 2026

1 December 2026

Avelox (Bayer)

*These brands were sourced as alternative pharmaceuticals to support a supply event and will be de-listed at the same time as the PSS start date for Ethics Macrogol with Electrolytes.

Magnesium sulphate

Inj 2 mmol per ml, 5 ml ampoule; 10 ampoule pack

$37.53

$26.27

Martindale (Max Health)

5%

1 July 2026

1 February 2027

Ephedrine

Inj 30 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule; 10 ampoule pack

$34.31

$42.89

Max Health (Max Health)

5%

1 July 2026

1 December 2026

Ketamine

Inj 100 mg per ml, 2 ml vial; 5 vial pack

$91.98

$91.98

Ketalar (Pfizer)

5%

1 August 2026 

1 January 2027

Cetirizine hydrochloride

Oral liq 1 mg per ml; 200 ml bottle

$3.99

$2.64

Noumed Cetirizine Hayfever & Allergy Relief (Noumed)

5%

1 November 2026

1 April 2027

Histaclear (AFT)

Colecalciferol

Oral liq 10 mcg per drop (400 iu per drop); 20 ml dropper bottle (OP)

$9.00 (per 5 ml)

$5.90

Multichem (Multichem)

5%

1 March 2027

1 August 2027

Clinicians (Healthcare by Douglas)

Dimethicone

Crm 10%; 480g pump bottle (OP)

$4.52 (per 460 g)

$3.60

EVARA Dimethicone 10% Cream (Evara)

5%

1 October 2026

1 March 2027

healthE Dimethicone 10% (Jaychem)

Entecavir

Tab 0.5 mg; 30 tablet blister pack

$12.04

$6.73

Entecavir Sandoz (Sandoz)

5%

1 October 2026

1 March 2027

Entecavir (Rex) (Rex Medical)

Macrogol 3350 with potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride  

Powder for oral soln 13.125 g with potassium chloride 46.6 mg, sodium bicarbonate 178.5 mg and sodium chloride 350.7 mg; 30 sachet pack

$10.15

$7.40

Ethics Macrogol with Electrolytes (Multichem)

5%

1 February 2027

1 July 2027

Molaxole (Arrotex) (Pharmacode:2718332)

Movicol (Norgine)

(Pharmacode:2194864)*

Molaxole (Arrotex) (Pharmacode: 2519887)*

Moxifloxacin

Tab 400 mg; 5 tablet blister pack

$42.00

$25.98

Moximed (Medsurge)

5%

1 July 2026

1 December 2026

Avelox (Bayer)

*These brands were sourced as alternative pharmaceuticals to support a supply event and will be de-listed at the same time as the PSS start date for Ethics Macrogol with Electrolytes.

Consider the presence of allergens (lactose, sugar, alcohol, gluten) when evaluating brand changes especially for allergy medications.

The Noumed brand does not have any declarable contents of lactose, sugar, alcohol and gluten.

Changes in excipients or taste could affect patient adherence, particularly for children or those with sensitivities.

The Tender Clinical Advisory Committee (TCAC), reviewed the proposed Noumed brand, including testing its palatability, and considered it to be suitable to be the main funded brand of cetirizine hydrochloride oral liquid in New Zealand. TCAC is made up of a range of healthcare professionals including pharmacists, nurses and doctors who have hands-on experience with medicines and understand the practical implications of different product characteristics.

The Noumed brand is banana-flavoured, which is the same flavour as the current brand, and majority of the excipients are the same.

Colecalciferol oral liquid is used in neonates, and the excipients need to be carefully considered as high doses of colecalciferol oral liquid can be used on the recommendation of dieticians.

The excipients present in the current brand of colecalciferol oral liquid, Clinicians, are:

·       Macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate

·       Vitamin E

·       Medium-chain triglycerides (fractionated coconut oil)

·       Ethanol.

The excipients present in the Multichem brand of colecalciferol oral liquid, are:

·       Virgin olive oil

·       Tocobiol (Mix of natural tocopherols)

·       Vitamin D3.

Pharmac staff consider the excipients to be like that of the incumbent brand, and we also consulted paediatric clinicians regarding these excipients who did not raise concerns. We note that the new brand does not contain ethanol, which was highlighted to us as an important consideration by neonatal units.

We did not receive any feedback specific to dimethicone.

Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including both general and specific brand change considerations, have been considered for this brand change decision.

Provide adequate lead time prior to implementation.

The Sandoz brand of entecavir will be listed from 1 October 2026. A five-month transition period will follow, during which the previously funded brand will remain available.

Provide clear, accessible patient resources and targeted communications for those involved in people’s care, including healthcare professionals.

We recognise the importance of clear and accessible resources to support the people who use medicines as well as the healthcare professionals who prescribe, dispense, and administer medicines. We agree that clearly communicating any differences between the current and new brands, using a range of formats, is essential.

We also acknowledge that timely and well-targeted communication can help reduce anxiety associated with a brand change. Tailored communications outlining the similarities and differences between brands will form part of the implementation approach.

As part of our implementation approach, support resources and clear communications such as leaflets, product comparisons and online updates, will be shared to inform those involved in people’s care, including healthcare professionals about the new brand.

Consideration to changes to the storage conditions, the size, or shape of the tablet.

People may already be familiar with the Sandoz brand, as it was the main funded brand of entecavir from 2018 to 2024. There are no notable changes to storage requirements. The current Rex Medical tablet is triangular, and the new Sandoz tablet is round and approximately the same size.

Ensure packaging is appropriate (for example, easily distinguishable and available in suitable pack sizes) and that tablet features are suitable (including clear markings).

The TCAC has reviewed the proposed Sandoz brand and considered it appropriate to be the main funded brand in New Zealand. The Sandoz brand is supplied in the same pack size as the currently funded brand and includes clear markings on the tablet.

Ephedrine is an essential medicine and maintaining continuity of supply is critical. The feedback also emphasised the importance of timely communication of any brand or presentation changes, along with the need to manage risks associated with changes in packaging, appearance, delivery method, formulation, or concentration, including through clear warnings and appropriate supporting information.

Thank you for providing this feedback. We note the concerns raised regarding the essential nature of ephedrine and the critical nature of continuity of supply. This decision is to award the currently funded product, Max Health, the tender for ephedrine. As there would not be a brand change in this market, there is no change in presentation, packaging, appearance, delivery method, formulation or concentration to be communicated.

Consideration to funding multiple brands or flavourless options to improve palatability, as even slight differences in taste and texture can significantly affect younger children, particularly those who are neurodiverse.

Pharmac staff understand that having different brands of macrogol 3550 available can be beneficial for patients. The annual tender offers the successful supplier a period of Principal Supply Status, which means that its brand would be the main funded brand for the New Zealand public health system. This helps mitigate supply risks as the supplier has assured market share for a fixed period of time. For macrogol 3550, this is a 95% market share for the principal supply brand, with a 5% allowance to enable funded access to alternative brands.

New Zealanders benefit from certainty of expenditure for the PSS period and the supplier benefits from stable demand volumes enabling better supply planning. If someone cannot use the Ethics Macrogol with Electrolytes brand for clinical reasons, Pharmac may consider applications for an alternative brand through the Exceptional Circumstances framework.

Pharmac understands that a flavour free product is preferred for paediatric and neurodiverse patients as it is more palatable. We have received a funding application for a flavour free macrogol 3350; however, at this stage we have been unable to identify a supplier and are not aware of any Medsafe applications currently pending for this product.

We did not receive any feedback specific to methenamine (hexamine) hippurate.

Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including both general and specific brand change considerations, have been taken into account for this brand change decision.

We did not receive any feedback specific to moxifloxacin.

Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including both general and specific brand change considerations, have been taken into account for this brand change decision.