October 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.
- A decision to amend the hospital restriction criteria for plerixafor inj 20 mg per ml, enabling funded access for allogeneic stem cell donors through the Pharmaceutical Schedule. We have also amended the peripheral blood count criteria and white blood cell count criteria.
Brand changes will begin to take effect from May 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.
The table below summarises the outcome for each medicine included in the May and July consultation.
|
Medicine |
What medicine is used for |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
Amoxicillin cap 500 mg |
A penicillin antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Amphotericin B Liposomal inj 50 mg |
used for the treatment and prophylaxis of serious systemic fungal infections. |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
Bisacodyl tab 5 mg |
for short-term relief of constipation. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
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 |
|
Cefalexin monohydrate cap 250 mg |
A cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Cefalexin monohydrate cap 500 mg |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
|
Cefalexin monohydrate grans for oral liq 25 mg per ml, and 50 mg per ml |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
|
Cefalexin monohydrate grans for oral liq 50 mg per ml |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
|
Celecoxib cap 200 mg |
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine used to relieve pain and inflammation. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Chloramphenicol eye drops 0.5% |
used to treat bacterial eye infections |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Citalopram hydrobromide tab 20 mg |
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicine which is used to treat depression. |
No brand change |
|
Colchicine tab 500 mcg |
used to treat and prevent gout attacks and other inflammatory conditions. |
Still under consideration |
|
Compound electrolytes with glucose [dextrose] |
used to treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and provide a source of calories. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Cyclizine Lactate inj 50 mg per ml, 1 ml |
used for nausea or vomiting caused by motion sickness, vertigo or Meniere's disease. |
Still under consideration |
|
Daptomycin inj 350 mg – 500 mg |
a lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. |
Still under consideration |
|
Dexamethasone phosphate inj 4 mg per ml, 1 ml |
a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and supress the immune system. |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
Dexamethasone phosphate inj 4 mg per ml, 2 ml |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
|
Dimethicone crm 5% (pack size greater than 100 g) |
is used as a barrier to protect the skin against nappy rash, bedsores and urinary incontinence. |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Dimethicone lotn – head lice suffocant |
used to treat head lice. |
No brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Docusate sodium with sennosides tab 50 mg with sennosides 8 mg |
used to treat constipation. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Droperidol inj 2.5 mg per ml, 1 ml |
used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery or diagnostic procedures. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Enalapril tab 5 mg |
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It's used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Enalapril tab 10 mg |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
|
Enalapril tab 20 mg |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
|
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel tab 20 mcg with levonorgestrel 100 mcg and 7 inert tabs |
A combination hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. |
Supplier change. Brand remains the same. Notified in September 2025. |
|
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel tab 30 mcg with levonorgestrel 150 mcg |
Declined |
|
|
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel tab 30 mcg with levonorgestrel 150 mcg and 7 inert tabs |
Supplier change. Brand remains the same. Notified in September 2025. |
|
|
Ferrous Sulphate tab long-acting 325 mg |
An iron supplement used to treat and prevent iron deficiency. |
Declined |
|
Ferrous Sulphate oral liq 30 mg (6 mg elemental) per ml |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
|
Fluoxetine hydrochloride cap 20 mg |
used to treat various mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). |
No brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Fulvestrant inj 50 mg per ml, 5 ml |
A chemotherapy medicine used to treat certain types of breast cancer. |
Brand Change. More information on the brand change for fulvestrant. |
|
Furosemide [Frusemide] inj 10 mg per ml, 2 ml |
used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure. |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
Glycopyrronium bromide inj 0.2 mg per ml, 1 ml |
used to reduce secretions like saliva and mucus. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Heparin Sodium inj 5,000 iu per ml, 5 ml |
an anticoagulant medicine used to prevent and treat blood clots. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
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 |
|
Levonorgestrel tab 1.5 mg |
a hormonal medicine used for emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Lidocaine [lignocaine] hydrochloride oral [gel] 2% |
a local anaesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. It's used to numb specific areas of the body during minor surgical procedures, dental work, or other medical procedures. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Liquid paraffin with white soft paraffin oint (pack size 100 g or less) |
used as an emollient to manage dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
Liquid paraffin with white soft paraffin oint (pack size greater than 100 g) |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
|
Loratadine tab 10 mg |
an antihistamine used to treat and prevent allergies such as hay fever |
Brand change notified in August 2025 |
|
Losartan with hydrochlorothiazide tab 50 mg with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg |
used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
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. |
Still under consideration |
|
Methenamine (hexamine) Hippurate tab 1 g |
used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). |
Still under consideration |
|
Metoclopramide hydrochloride inj 5 mg per ml, 2 ml |
used to help with certain stomach and digestive issues. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Mitomycin C inj 5 mg vial |
a chemotherapy medicine used to treat cancers such as upper gastrointestinal cancers (like esophageal cancer), anal cancer, breast cancer and superficial bladder tumours |
Decline notified in September 2025 |
|
Mitomycin C inj 20 mg vial |
No brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Noradrenaline inj 1 mg per ml, 4 ml ampoule |
used in emergency situations to increase and maintain blood pressure in patients with severe low blood pressure (hypotension). |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Pantoprazole tab EC 20 mg |
used to treat problems affecting the stomach and gut, such as indigestion, reflux and ulcers. |
No brand change |
|
Pantoprazole tab EC 40 mg |
used to treat problems affecting the stomach and gut, such as indigestion, reflux and ulcers. |
No brand change |
|
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 |
|
|
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) grans for oral liq 125 mg per 5 ml |
an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. |
No brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) grans for oral liq 250 mg per 5 ml |
No brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
|
Pirfenidone tab 267 mg |
used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs become scarred and stiff, making it hard to breathe. |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Pirfenidone tab 801 mg |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
Plerixafor inj 20 mg per ml |
used for the mobilisation of haematopoietic stem cells to peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous or allogenic transplantation in patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma. |
Brand change |
|
Raltegravir potassium tab 600 mg |
used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. |
Still under consideration |
|
Rocuronium bromide inj 10 mg per ml, 5 ml |
used as a muscle relaxant during surgery and other medical procedures. |
Brand change notified in July 2025 |
|
Sertraline tab 50 mg |
for various mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). |
No brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Sertraline tab 100 mg |
No brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
Sodium chloride inj 0.9%, 3 ml, prefilled syringe |
used to flush intravenous lines to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of infection. |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Sodium chloride inj 0.9%, 5 ml, prefilled syringe |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
Sodium chloride inj 0.9%, 10 ml, prefilled syringe |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
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. |
Still under consideration |
|
Varenicline tab 0.5 mg x 11 and 1 mg x 42 |
helps adults stop smoking. |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
Varenicline tab 1 mg |
Brand change notified in September 2025 |
|
|
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. |
Still under consideration |
|
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 November 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Citalopram hydrobromide |
Tab 20 mg; 84 tablet blister pack |
$2.86 |
$3.55 |
Celapram (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
|
Pantoprazole |
Tab EC 20 mg; 90 tablet bottle pack |
$1.99 |
$1.81 |
Panzop Relief (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
|
Pantoprazole |
Tab EC 40 mg; 90 tablet bottle pack |
$2.74 |
$2.70 |
Panzop Relief (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
Hospital Pharmaceutical tenders – Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule
The decisions were as follows:
2. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Citalopram hydrobromide |
Tab 20 mg; 84 tablet blister pack |
$2.86 |
$3.55 |
Celapram (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
|
Pantoprazole |
Tab EC 20 mg; 90 tablet bottle pack |
$1.99 |
$1.81 |
Panzop Relief (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
|
Pantoprazole |
Tab EC 40 mg; 90 tablet bottle pack |
$2.74 |
$2.70 |
Panzop Relief (Viatris) |
1 December 2025 |
1 May 2026 |
3. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Plerixafor |
Inj 20 mg per ml; 1 vial |
$8,740.00 |
$869.00 |
Plerixafor-AFT (AFT) |
1 May 2026 |
1 October 2026 |
Mozobil (Sanofi) |
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 2023/24 Invitation to Tender, dated 31 October 2023.
|
Chemical Name |
Line Item |
|---|---|
|
Irinotecan |
Inj 20 mg per ml, 5 ml |
|
Oxybutynin |
Tab 5 mg |
|
Pyridostigmine bromide |
Tab 60 mg |
|
Zonisamide |
Cap 25 mg |
|
Zonisamide |
Cap 50 mg |
|
Zonisamide |
Cap 100 mg |
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 |
|---|---|
|
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel |
Tab 20 mcg with levonorgestrel 100 mcg |
|
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel |
Tab 30 mcg with levonorgestrel 150 mcg |
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.
Zonisamide:
In July 2024 we consulted on funding zonisamide for the treatment of some forms of epilepsy (Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE) and focal epilepsy that has not responded to previous treatment) by awarding a contract through the ITT.
We are declining the 2023/24 zonisamide tender due to the need for further work before a decision can be made, along with time constraints that prevent timely implementation within the Principal Supply Status period. We are actively considering the commercial next steps for zonisamide. Funding zonisamide remains an option, as outlined in the public consultation. At this point we can’t provide a definitive timeframe for when a decision will be made, but we will update you further as more information becomes available.
Plerixafor:
Following stakeholder feedback and advice from our expert clinical advisors, we have made amendments to the Hospital Restriction Criteria for plerixafor. These changes will allow allogeneic stem cell donors to access this pharmaceutical through the Pharmaceutical Schedule and includes amendments to the peripheral blood CD34 count criteria and white blood cell count criteria. The Hospital Restriction Criteria for plerixafor will change from 1 January 2026 as follows: (additions in bold, deletions in strikethrough):
Restricted
Initiation – Autologous stem cell transplant
Re-assessment required after 3 days
Prescribed by, or recommended by a haematologist, or in accordance with a protocol or guideline that has been endorsed by the Health NZ Hospital.
All of the following:
1. Either:
1.1. Patient is to undergo stem cell transplantation; or
1.2. Patient is a donor for stem cell transplantation; and
2. Patient has not had more than one a previous unsuccessful mobilisation attempt with plerixafor; and
3. Any of the following:
3.1. Both:
3.1.1. Patient is undergoing G-CSF mobilisation; and
3.1.2. Either:
3.1.2.1. Has a suboptimal peripheral blood CD34 count of less than or equal to 120 × 106 /L on day 5 after 4 days of G-CSF treatment; or
3.1.2.2. Efforts to collect > 1 × 106 CD34 cells/kg have failed after one apheresis procedure; or
3.2. Both:
3.2.1. Patient is undergoing chemotherapy and G-CSF mobilisation; and
3.2.2. Any of the following:
3.2.2.1. Both:
3.2.2.1.1. Has rising white blood cell counts of > 52 × 109 /L; and
3.2.2.1.2. Has a suboptimal peripheral blood CD34 count of less than or equal to 120 × 106 /L; or
3.2.2.2. Efforts to collect > 1 × 106 CD34 cells/kg have failed after one apheresis procedure; or
3.2.2.3. The peripheral blood CD34 cell counts are decreasing before the target has been received; or
3.3. A previous mobilisation attempt with G-CSF or G-CSF plus chemotherapy has failed
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 |
|---|---|
|
Citalopram hydrobromide tablets |
|
|
We received several pieces of feedback specific to antidepressants, including citalopram hydrobromide tablets. These themes have been outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
Thank you for providing feedback on a potential brand change for citalopram hydrobromide tablets.
We are proposing to fund the incumbent brand; however, this feedback will be useful when considering future brand changes. |
|
Pantoprazole tablets |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to pantoprazole that raised new themes beyond those already outlined in the July 2025 Tender Notification. |
While there is no brand change to pantoprazole tabs, this feedback will be valuable for informing future decisions. |
|
Plerixafor injection |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to plerixafor 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.