Pharmacy on Web

1 October 2008

Pharmac has announced a proposal that Goldshield will be the alternative brand of thyroxine available to patients who cannot tolerate the Eltroxin brand by GSK.

Goldshield Thyroxine was only available for a very short period in October 2008 through a section 29 sanction medicine in community pharmacies before disappearing because of supply issues ( the reason given to pharmacy). It is apparent now they were discussing a contract with Pharmac so supply was halted and Abbotts Synthroid became the alternative levothyroxine available to date.

The company who manufactures Goldshield thyroxine and responsible for suppying stocks, is Boucher & Muir. Stocks is in transit from the United Kingdom and is expected in NZ in the first week of November but by the time a supply chain is set up with all pharmacy wholesalers we expect there would be delays and Pharmac is careful not to mention any specific timelines.

In conclusion this tender is still in the proposal stages so keep your fingers crossed that it will be successful.
You can contact Pharmac if you have questions about this proposal.Phone: 0800 66 00 50 or visit Pharmac at their website www.pharmac.govt.nz.