November 2025 Tender notification
What we’re doing
Pharmac is announcing recent decisions from its annual tender process. This notification includes:
- Decisions on medicines following our additional round of consultation, for medicines where Pharmac was considering a possible brand change
- A summary of the feedback we received from the consultation.
Brand changes will begin to take effect from April 2026.
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 last year’s brand changes, Pharmac introduced a new consultation step to better engage with stakeholders. We consulted on the impact of potential brand changes and this feedback helped shape our decisions. Over 30 individuals and groups responded, highlighting the importance of clear communication and support during transitions between brands.
Following stakeholder feedback on the format of our tender notifications, we have updated the table below to provide a summary of the outcomes for the remaining unresolved medicines from the May and July consultations.
|
Medicine |
What medicine is used for |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
Bortezomib inj 3.5 mg |
used to treat multiple myeloma |
Still under consideration |
|
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 |
|
Colchicine tab 500 mcg |
used to treat and prevent gout attacks and other inflammatory conditions. |
Still under consideration |
|
Cyclizine Lactate inj 50 mg per ml, 1 ml |
used for nausea or vomiting caused by motion sickness, vertigo or Meniere's disease. |
Brand change. |
|
Daptomycin inj 350 mg – 500 mg |
a lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. |
Brand change. |
|
Icatibant inj 10 mg per ml, 3 ml prefilled syringe |
used to relieve acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in patients with C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency |
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 |
|
Methadone hydrochloride tab 5 mg |
used for the relief of moderate to severe pain, for example pain caused by a terminal illness such as cancer. |
No brand change. |
|
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 |
|
|
Paracetamol oral liq 120 mg per 5 ml |
used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and to reduce fever. |
Still under consideration |
|
Paracetamol oral liq 250 mg per 5 ml |
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 |
|
Testosterone undecanoate inj 250 mg per ml |
Long-acting form of testosterone that helps increase testosterone levels in the body. |
Still under consideration |
|
Thiamine hydrochloride tab 50 mg |
used for the treatment and prophylaxis of vitamin B1 deficiency states including beriberi and Wernicke’s encephalopathy. |
Brand change |
|
Water for injection purified for inj, 20 ml |
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. |
Brand change |
|
Water for injection purified for inj, 500 ml bag |
Still under consideration. |
|
|
Xylometazoline nasal spray 0.1% |
used to help nasal congestion. |
Still under consideration |
You can see the full technical details of the tender decisions in the Tender Results section.
How your feedback helped
The feedback received was considered as part of the decision-making process. It has also informed how Pharmac will support people through the upcoming 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
Your feedback has helped to inform our implementation plans to support any brand changes.
Who may be most interested
- People who use funded medicines
- Healthcare professionals
- Advocacy groups
- Suppliers
Tender results
Pharmac has resolved to award tenders for Principal Supply Status for some medicines included in the 2024/25 Invitation to Tender dated 31 October 2024.
For decisions that will result in brand changes, 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 4 pm on the 12th of December 2025 or the 5th of the month prior to listing, whichever is earlier
- For price changes, by 4 pm on the 12th 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
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 5th 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.
- 27 November 2025 Tender Notification [PDF 376 KB]
2024/25 Tender – Principal Supply Status applies until 30 June 2028
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; |
Current pack price |
New pack price |
Principal Supply brand |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Methadone hydrochloride |
Tab 5 mg, 10 tablet blister pack |
$1.45 |
$1.38 |
Methadone BNM (Boucher) |
1 April 2026 |
1 September 2026 |
2. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals where at least one other brand is listed (the funded brand will change).
|
Chemical name |
Presentation; |
Current pack price |
New pack price |
Principal Supply brand |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
Brand (Supplier) affected by delisting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cyclizine Lactate |
Inj 50 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule; 5 glass ampoule box |
$16.36 (per 10) |
$6.98 |
Cyclizine lactate Medsurge (Medsurge) |
1 June 2026 |
1 November 2026 |
Hameln (Max Health) |
|
Thiamine hydrochloride |
Tab 50 mg; 100 tablet bottle pack |
$4.65 |
$3.89 |
Thiamine-REX (Rex Medical) |
1 July 2026 |
1 December 2026 |
Thiamine Multichem (Multichem) |
|
Water |
Inj 10 ml ampoule; 50 plastic ampoule pack |
$7.60 |
$9.50 |
Multichem (Multichem) |
1 June 2026 |
1 November 2026 |
Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius Kabi)1 |
|
Water |
Inj 20 ml ampoule; 20 plastic ampoule pack |
$5.00 |
$8.40 |
Multichem (Multichem) |
1 September 2026 |
1 February 2027 |
Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius Kabi) |
|
1The Fresenius Kabi brand will be delisted 1 June 2026. |
|||||||
Hospital Pharmaceutical tenders – Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule
The decisions were as follows:
3. Tenders awarded to currently listed pharmaceuticals where no other brand is listed (no brand change).
|
Chemical name |
Presentation; |
Current pack price |
New pack price |
Principal Supply brand |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Methadone hydrochloride |
Tab 5 mg, 10 tablet blister pack |
$1.45 |
$1.38 |
Methadone BNM (Boucher) |
1 April 2026 |
1 September 2026 |
4. Tenders awarded to pharmaceuticals where at least one other brand is listed (the funded brand will change).
|
Chemical name |
Presentation; |
Current pack price |
New pack price |
Principal Supply brand |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
Brand (Supplier) affected by delisting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cyclizine Lactate |
Inj 50 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule; 5 glass ampoule box |
$16.36 (per 10) |
$6.98 |
Cyclizine lactate Medsurge (Medsurge) |
1 June 2026 |
1 November 2026 |
Hameln (Max Health) |
|
Daptomycin |
Inj 500 mg; 1 vial |
$115.36 |
$44.90 |
Daptomycin-AFT (AFT) |
1 May 2026 |
1 October 2026 |
Daptomycin Dr Reddy’s (Dr Deddy’s) |
|
Thiamine hydrochloride |
Tab 50 mg; 100 tablet bottle pack |
$4.65 |
$3.89 |
Thiamine-REX (Rex Medical) |
1 July 2026 |
1 December 2026 |
Thiamine Multichem (Multichem) |
|
Water |
Inj 10 ml ampoule; 50 plastic ampoule pack |
$7.60 |
$9.50 |
Multichem (Multichem) |
1 June 2026 |
1 November 2026 |
Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius Kabi)1 |
|
Water |
Inj 20 ml ampoule; 20 plastic ampoule pack |
$5.00 |
$8.40 |
Multichem (Multichem) |
1 September 2026 |
1 February 2027 |
Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius Kabi) |
|
1The Fresenius Kabi brand will be delisted 1 June 2026. |
|||||||
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 |
|---|---|
|
Sodium hyaluronate [hyaluronic acid] |
Inj 26-30 mg/ml syringe |
For products included in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Invitation to Tender where no announcement has yet been made, a decision is still pending subject to Pharmac Board (or its delegate) approval. We will keep you informed of any updates regarding such tender products as decisions are made.
If you have any queries regarding this notification, please contact Pharmac on 0800 66 00 50.
What you told us
Please see the July 2025 Tender Notification II for a summary of the key themes identified in the feedback received across both consultations.
In addition to the key themes identified, the table below outlines the additional themes identified in the feedback received for each specific medicine included in this notification.
|
Theme |
Pharmac Comment |
|---|---|
|
Cyclizine Lactate |
|
|
We received several pieces of feedback specific to cyclizine lactate, relating to packaging type preferences and supply considerations. These themes have been outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
Thank you for providing feedback on a potential brand change for cyclizine lactate.
For our response to this feedback, please see the July 2025 Tender Notification II. |
|
Daptomycin |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to daptomycin that raised new themes beyond those already outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including general, and specific, brand change considerations, have been taken into account for this brand change. |
|
Methadone Hydrochloride |
|
|
We received multiple pieces of feedback specific to methadone hydrochloride, covering aspects such as packaging, labelling, environmental impact, shelf life, and formulation/excipient considerations. These themes have been outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
While there is no brand change to methadone hydrochloride, this feedback will be valuable for informing future decisions. |
|
Thiamine Hydrochloride |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to thiamine hydrochloride that raised new themes beyond those already outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including general, and specific, brand change considerations, have been taken into account for this brand change. |
|
Water for inj |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to water for inj that raised new themes beyond those already outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
Key themes from both rounds of consultation, including general, and specific, brand change considerations, have been taken into account for this brand change. |
If you have any questions about this decision, 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.