Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (Amoxiclav multichem) Inj 1,000 mg with clavulanic acid 200 mg vial: Hospital medicine supply issue

Supply issue Hospital only Active

There is a long term supply constraint for the 1200 mg injection of the registered brand of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (Amoxiclav Multichem) (Pharmacode 2613417)

Updated 10 July 2024

The Tender has been awarded to Douglas. Their product will be listed on 1 February 2025. Until then, Multichem will continue to supply both AmoxiClav Multichem or Cerobact.

Affected product

In March 2024, Multichem, the supplier, advised that there will be constrained supply of this product in the long term.

  • Chemical: amoxicillin with clavulanic acid:
  • Presentation: Inj 1,000 mg with clavulanic acid 200 mg vial
  • 5% DV Dec-21 to 2024 (PSS)
  • Brand: Amoxiclav multichem
  • Pharmacode: 2613417 
  • Price: $26.90
  • Measure / Qty: per 10

HML listing for amoxicillin with clavulanic acid(external link)

Alternative product

When supplies of the registered product are low, Multichem are supplying an alternative from the Malaysian market (Brand name: Cerobact pharmacode 2676834). While the supplier considers the alternative to be identical, it is not Medsafe registered. 

All wholesalers are being supplied the registered product. Only Onelink is receiving Cerobact.

Cerobact listing in the HML(external link)

Administration differences between the two brands

Amoxiclav 1.2g and Cerobact 1.2g have identical formulations, however there is a difference in the vial capacity.

The following tables outline the diluent volumes and displacement volumes, along with an updated datasheet which has been supplied with this update for your reference:

Preparation of intravenous injections (Cerobact, S29 product, Pharmacode 2676834)
Strength Vial capacity   Water for Injection Diluent Displacement Volume Final Volume
1.2 g (1000/200 mg) 12 mL 10 mL 0.83 mL 10.83 mL

 

Preparation of intravenous injections (Amoxiclav, registered product, Pharmacode 2613417)
Vial Vial capacity   Water for Injection Diluent Displacement Volume (mL) Final Volume (mL)
1.2 g (1000/200 mg) 22 mL 20 mL 0.97 mL 20.97 mL

Expected resolution

The tender has been awarded to Douglas. Their product, Synermox, will be listed on 1 February 2025. Multichem will continue to supply both Amoxiclav Multichem and Cerobact. 

Tender Notification 24 June 2024

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)