Pharmac News

Pharmac Reviews Exceptions Framework to Improve Access and Equity 

28 April 2026

Pharmac is currently reviewing its Exceptional Circumstances Framework, which is the system used to consider funding medicines for individuals in special or unusual clinical situations outside the normal funded pathways. This includes processes like the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA).

The review has been prompted by feedback that the current system can be complex, difficult to understand, and inconsistent. The aim is to make it simpler, clearer, more transparent, and more equitable, while still ensuring decisions align with Pharmac’s legislation and fixed medicines budget.

The review looks at how the whole framework operates, including NPPA and other exception pathways, and aims to improve:

• Clarity around when and how to apply
• Transparency of decision-making
• Equity of access for people with high or complex health needs
• Consistency in how applications are assessed
• How discretion is used in decision-making

Pharmac is running a two-stage consultation process, where feedback will help shape proposed changes before final decisions are made.  

How to give feedback / submit a response 

You can submit feedback in several ways: 

• Online feedback form: https://consultations.pharmac.govt.nz/policy/exceptions-framework/  
• Email: ecfreview@pharmac.govt.nz  
• Other options: Feedback can also be shared via webinars, workshops, focus groups, and virtual sessions as part of the consultation process. 

Feedback closes 7 June.  

Supply Disruption – update for people taking phenytoin sodium 30 mg

10 April 2026

There is a temporary supply disruption affecting phenytoin sodium 30 mg capsules (Dilantin), a medicine used to control epilepsy. Around 700 people in New Zealand use this medicine.

An equipment failure at the manufacturing site has limited supply of this capsule strength. A shipment arrived in the country last night.

Pharmac expect pharmacies to start receiving this stock from Monday 13 April at the latest. They don’t anticipate that many patients will be impacted as wholesalers are actively transferring stock to cover any shortfall.

What people need to know

Phenytoin is a medicine where even small changes can affect seizure control.

People taking phenytoin should:

• keep taking their medicine as prescribed
• talk to their pharmacist or doctor if they are worried about getting their next supply
• not change their dose or formulation without medical advice.

More information

A medicine notice is published on the Pharmac website and will update the supply issue webpage as new information becomes available:

https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/dilantin

Brand Change for Acetazolamide 250 mg Tablets

28 May 2025

The currently funded brand of acetazolamide 250 mg tablets, Diamox, will be replaced by Medsurge – Acetazolamide.

Stock of the both the Diamox and Medsurge Acetazolamide brands are currently available. Once remaining stock of the Diamox brand has been exhausted, Medsurge Acetazolamide will be the funded brand of Acetazolamide 250 mg Tablets.

From 1 September 2025 the Diamox brand will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

For information see website:

https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/acetazolamide

lamotrigine update

Pharmac is pleased to let you know that the 2,600+ people currently accessing Lamictal or Arrow-Lamotrigine under the bespoke exceptional circumstances process can remain on their original funded brand.

This process was set up in 2019 following the funded brand change to Logem. They are confident that in that time approvals have been granted for people who were taking lamotrigine at the time of the brand change and needed to stay on their existing brand.

They are therefore closing this process on 1 September 2022 and all current exceptional circumstances approvals will be extended indefinitely.

Pharmac want to make sure that people taking lamotrigine, their whānau, and their healthcare professionals know what’s happening with the brands.

More information is available on: pharmac.govt.nz/lamotrigine

Lamictal packaging update

Update on Lamictal packaging : please see brand information and video from global GSK team

Lamictal brand of lamotrigine dispersible tablets 25mg, 50mg and 100mg formulations are undergoing package change from a simple blister pack to child-resistant blister packaging.

Lamictal Blister Leave Behind Information Sheet

submissions to pharmac

Epilepsy New Zealand works to ensure New Zealanders living with epilepsy have access to medications necessary for them to live their best lives.  This involves engaging with PHARMAC on a regular basis.

medication update : phenobarbitone 15gm tablet brand change

• visit their prescriber twice (one month before and one month after the change)
• and have four blood tests to monitor the change.