October 2026 Tender notification
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 - October 2026 Tender Notification [PDF, 494 KB]
The table below provides a summary of the outcomes for the remaining unresolved medicines from the 2024/25 ITT that were included in the May 2025 and July 2025 brand change consultations.
|
Medicine |
What medicine is used for |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
Calcium gluconate inj 10% |
Used to treat acute hypocalcaemia; hypocalcaemic tetany; hyperkalaemia with secondary cardiac toxicity; and hypermagnesaemia. |
Declined. |
|
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. |
Declined. |
|
Nilotinib cap 200 mg |
Declined. |
|
|
Raltegravir potassium tab 600 mg |
Used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. |
Declined. |
|
Sunscreens, propriety SPF 50+ or greater |
Used to help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) light when outdoors. |
Declined. |
|
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. |
Declined. |
|
Xylometazoline nasal spray 0.1% |
Used to help nasal congestion. |
Declined. |
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 12th of November 2026 or the 5th of the month prior to listing, whichever is earlier
- For price changes, by 4pm 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 – https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/make-an-application/pharmconnect-make-a-medicine-funding-application/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 (Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand - our training arm(external link)) and that a CTPP code has been obtained from the New Zealand Universal List of Medicines (New Zealand Universal List of Medicines - Information For Sponsors(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.
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; |
Current pack price |
New pack price |
Principal Supply brand |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 10 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$43.02 |
$43.02 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 18 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$45.57 |
$45.57 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 25 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$44.30 |
$44.30 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 40 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$46.21 |
$46.21 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 60 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$51.31 |
$51.31 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 80 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$65.20 |
$65.20 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 100 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$65.71 |
$65.71 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 250 mg vial; 10 vial pack |
$42.60 |
$46.86 |
Flucloxin (Douglas) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Tacrolimus1 |
Oint 0.1%; 30 g tube |
$33.00 |
$34.65 |
Zematop (Douglas) |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
1 Pharmac tendered tacrolimus for both current and widened access. Pharmac has made the decision to award the current access tender. |
||||||
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 |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 500 mg vial; 10 vial pack |
$45.63 |
$18.70 |
Flucloxacillin Eugia (Eugia) |
1 March 2027 |
1 August 2027 |
Flucloxin (Douglas) |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 1 g vial; 10 vial pack |
$6.00 (per 5) |
$11.30 |
Flucloxacillin Eugia (Eugia) |
1 May 2027 |
1 October 2027 |
Flucil (Aspen) |
Hospital Pharmaceutical tenders – Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
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 |
DV Limit |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 10 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$43.02 |
$43.02 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 18 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$45.57 |
$45.57 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 25 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$44.30 |
$44.30 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 40 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$46.21 |
$46.21 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 60 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$51.31 |
$51.31 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 80 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$65.20 |
$65.20 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Atomoxetine |
Cap 100 mg; 28 capsule blister pack |
$65.71 |
$65.71 |
APO-Atomoxetine (Arrotex) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 250 mg vial; 10 vial pack |
$42.60 |
$46.86 |
Flucloxin (Douglas) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
Tacrolimus1 |
Oint 0.1%; 30 g tube |
$33.00 |
$34.65 |
Zematop (Douglas) |
5% |
1 January 2027 |
1 June 2027 |
|
1 Pharmac tendered tacrolimus for both current and widened access. Pharmac has made the decision to award the current access tender. |
|||||||
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 |
DV Limit |
Date of subsidy change |
Principal Supply date |
Brand (Supplier) affected by delisting |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 500 mg vial; 10 vial pack |
$45.63 |
$18.70 |
Flucloxacillin Eugia (Eugia) |
5% |
1 March 2027 |
1 August 2027 |
Flucloxin (Douglas) |
|
Flucloxacillin |
Inj 1 g vial; 10 vial pack |
$6.00 (per 5) |
$11.30 |
Flucloxacillin Eugia (Eugia) |
5% |
1 May 2027 |
1 October 2027 |
Flucil (Aspen) |
|
Metronidazole |
Inj 5 mg per ml, 100 ml bag; 10 bag pack |
$18.00 |
$13.98 |
Metronidazole Medsurge (Medsurge) |
5% |
1 December 2026 |
1 July 2027 |
Baxter (Baxter) |
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 |
|
Calcium gluconate |
Inj 10% |
|
Ciprofloxacin |
Inj 2 mg per ml, 100 ml |
|
Nilotinib |
Cap 150 mg |
|
Nilotinib |
Cap 200 mg |
|
Raltegravir potassium |
Tab 600 mg |
|
Sevelamer carbonate |
Tab 800 mg |
|
Sunscreens, proprietary |
SPF 50+ or greater |
|
Water for injection |
Purified for inj 250 ml bag |
|
Water for injection |
Purified for inj 500 ml bag |
|
Xylometazoline |
Nasal spray 0.1% |
|
Zinc and castor oil |
Crm (pack size 50 g or less) |
|
Zinc and castor oil |
Oint (pack size 50 g or less) |
|
Zinc and castor oil |
Oint (pack size greater than or equal to 500 g) |
|
Zinc and castor oil |
Oint BP (pack size 30g or less) |
Pharmac has resolved not to award tenders for Principal Supply Status for the following product listed in the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender, dated 3 November 2025.
|
Chemical Name |
Line Item |
|
Benzyl benzoate (funded without restriction) |
10% - 25% |
|
Benzyl benzoate |
10% - 25% |
|
Colestyramine |
Powder for oral liq 4 g |
|
Emulsifying ointment |
Oint (pack size 200 g or less) |
|
Fenofibrate |
Cap/tab 48 mg |
|
Fenofibrate |
Cap/tab 145 mg |
|
Fibre supplement |
Powder/granules |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 200 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 400 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 600 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 800 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 1,000 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 1,200 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 1,400 mcg |
|
Selexipag |
Tab 1,600 mcg |
|
Suxamethonium chloride |
Inj 50 mg per ml, 2 ml prefilled syringe |
|
Tacrolimus (widened access) |
Oint 0.1% |
|
Thiamine hydrochloride |
Inj 100 mg per ml, 2 ml |
What you told us
We consulted on potential brand changes for some medicines included in the 2025/26 ITT in April 2026(external link). Feedback from this consultation reflected a range of views, with some recurring themes from last year’s consultations (May and July 2025(external link)). All feedback received has been carefully considered to inform our decisions.
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 |
|---|---|
|
Atomoxetine |
|
|
Concerns regarding a brand change. |
This decision is to award the current funded brand of atomoxetine capsules, APO-Atomoxetine. As there will not be a brand change in this market, there are no changes in the taste, ease of digesting, capsule colour, markings, or packaging for users. The Tender Clinical Advisory Committee reviewed Arrotex’s brand (APO-Atomoxetine) of atomoxetine capsules and considered it suitable to be the funded brand of atomoxetine capsules in New Zealand. |
|
Consider tablet quality, colour and markings. |
|
|
Flucloxacillin |
|
|
We did not receive any relevant feedback specific to flucloxacillin. |
Key general themes from consultation have been considered for this brand change decision. |
|
Metronidazole |
|
|
We did not receive any feedback specific to metronidazole. |
Key general themes from consultation have been considered for this brand change decision. |