Pharmacy on Web

30 September 2008

A fully funded generic Omeprazole will replace AstraZenecas Proton Pump inhibitor (PPI) Losec from January 2009 as part of Pharmac's plan in reducing the pharmaceutical expenditure in new Zealand.

Dr Reddys Omeprazole has been awarded sole supplier status by Pharmac. Currently in community pharmacy throughout NZ, Dr Reddys Pantoprazole has already replaced the popular proton inhibitor Somac (Pfizer) which is no longer available in the New Zealand market.

Aztrazenca, are advising pharmacies that they will continued to make Losec available in NZ via the private market, so essentially you will need to pay out of your own pocket if you want to keep taking Losec. 

Planning ahead, here is the dates for Losec changes.

18 September 2008

The FDA has found a number of deficiences in the good manufacturing processes in two manufacturing sites of the India based pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy. 

The FDA has imposed an import ban, but not a recall of medicines, from these sites.


Subsidised medicines used in New Zealand from the Ranbaxy sites are:

-  Lovir tab (aciyclovir) 400mg and 800mg tab

-  Cefaclor 250mg cap and 125/5 susp

-  Amoxicillin 125/5 susp and 250/5 susp


There are 9 other medicines not funded by Pharmac and unlikely to be marketed or prescribed in NZ.  Details are on the attached Q&A link


Medsafe is assessing the situation and at this stage has not implemented a ban because
based on the information provided by the FDA there is no evidence to date of these
medicines being either unsafe or ineffective.  Both Medsafe and Pharmac at this stage are
taking precautionary steps to minimise a potential problem.


Please advise your patients not to stop taking these medicines as, to date, there is no
evidence of any danger.  If patients are not reassured with this advice then they could
consult their doctor for an alterative treatment.


For more information see the Ministry of Health media release
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/8391 and the questions and answers

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/8391/$File/ranbaxy-q-a.doc


FDA information is at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01886.html

FDA consumer questions and answers at
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ranbaxy/qa.htm

and the FDA warning letters to Ranbaxy at

http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6922c.htm

http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6923c.htm

Pharmaceutical Society of NZ 

 10 September 2008

Synthroid Thyroxine made by Abbott pharmaceuticals is available from some community pharmacies as an alternative to the subsidised Eltroxin, brand by GSK.

Abbott Synthroid Thyroxine is available in both 50mcg and 100mg strengths. It is FDA approved. More information for Synthroid.

Our Pharmacist suggest you discussed this alternative with your doctors first before trying out Synthroid.

Download the PDF Prescribing Information for Your GP

  to view PDF files

Currently there is no shortage of stock whereas the Goldshield Thyroxin was hard to sourced by the pharmacy wholesalers due to various reasons so it will no longer be available from community pharmacies.

  Abbott Synthroid Thyroxine, is a section 29 medicines, so you will need a prescription from your GP.

How much does it cost?

Abbott Synthroid Thyroxine will not be subsidised by Pharmac. For 30 tablets of the price will be approximately $25 for both 50mcg and 100mcg. These prices may varied between pharmacies.

If you cannot get Synthroid from your local pharmacy then you may purchase this from our online pharmacy. We suggest you purchase a small quantity to try first.

Buy Synthroid 50mcg