API Consumer Brands

Supply issue Active

API Consumer Brands has closed its Auckland manufacturing plant and withdrawn from the New Zealand pharmaceutical market.

API in New Zealand

In July 2021, API notified the Australian Stock Exchange(external link) that they had decided to focus on their retail and distribution businesses.

What is Pharmac doing

Sponsorship of the API products has largely been transferred to Noumed Pharmaceuticals limited and will continue to be supplied until a new brand enters the market. Noumed began supplying these products on 18 July 2022. 

Pharmac is considering multiple options for products currently supplied by API. We're reviewing each medicine to find the best solution. One of these options is using our annual tender process to find new suppliers for these treatments. We are updating this page with information about what is happening with each product. 

We are working closely with API and other suppliers to ensure as little disruption as possible for people using API's products.

What will happen to my medicine?

Most likely, your medicine will still be available. But you might need to use a different brand. 

If no suppliers are willing to supply your existing medicine, you will need to talk to your doctor about moving to a suitable alternative treatment.

As we find replacements, we’ll let doctors and pharmacists know. We’ll also put information on our website.

We know that changing medicine can be disruptive. We’re working hard to keep this to a minimum. Thank you for your understanding.

Affected products

Products we've found a solution for

The "listing date" is the first day the new brand will be funded. The "principal supply date" is the date that the old brand will no longer be available. 

Chemical Presentation New brand Supplier Listing date Principal supply date
Bisacodyl Tab 5 mg  Bisacodyl Viatris
May 22 Tender Notice
Viatris 1 August 2022 1 January 2023
Codeine phosphate * Tab 15 mg Noumed
November 22 Tender Notice
Noumed 1 December 2022 1 May 2023
Codeine phosphate * Tab 30 mg Noumed
September 22 Tender Notice
Noumed 1 November 2022 1 April 2023
Codeine phosphate * Tab 60 mg Noumed
September 22 Tender Notice
Noumed 1 November 2022 1 April 2023
Citalopram hydrobromide * Tab 20 mg Celapram 
March 22 Tender Notice
Viatris 1 October 2022 1 March 2023
Glycerol * Suppos 3.6 g Lax-Suppositories Glycerol
April 2022 Tender
AFT 1 September 2022 1 February 2023
Hydrocortisone * Crm 1% (30 g OP tube) Ethics
April 2022 Tender
Multichem 1 November 2022 1 April 2023
Hydrocortisone * Crm 1% (500 g) Noumed
January 2023 Tender
Noumed 1 March 2023 1 August 2023
Methadone hydrochloride * Tab 5 mg Methadone BNM 
March 22 Tender Notice
Boucher and Muir 1 September 2022 1 February 2023
Oxytocin with ergometrine Inj 5 IU with ergometrine maleate 500 mcg per ml, 1ml; 5 ampoule pack Syntometrine 
May 22 Tender Notice
Max Health 1 July 2022 1 December 2022 
Paracetamol * Oral liq 120 mg per 5 ml; 200 ml bottle Paracetamol (Ethics)
May 22 Tender Notice
We've listed a temporary brand to cover any gap before Ethics enters the market.
Multichem NZ 1 January 2023  1 June 2023 
Paracetamol * Oral liq 250 mg per 5 ml; 200 ml bottle Pamol
May 22 Tender Notice
Brand change medicine notice.
Aspen Pharma  1 November 2022  1 April 2023 
Pethidine hydrochloride * Tab 50 mg Noumed Pethidine
January 2023 Tender Notice
Noumed 1 March 2023 1 August 2023


Products we're still working on

Chemical Presentation Brand Pharmacode
Dexamfetamine sulfate *
We have listed a temporary brand
Tab 5 mg PSM 2461374
Domperidone * Tab 10 mg Pharmacy Health 2549093
Fluoride * Tab 1.1 mg (0.5 mg elemental) PSM 358827
Isoniazid * Tab 100 mg PSM 267473
Permethrin * Crm 5% Lyderm 479233
Phenobarbitone * Tab 15 mg PSM 765481
Phenobarbitone * Tab 30 mg PSM 439886
Prochlorperazine Tab 3 mg buccal Buccastem 340537
Sodium fluoride Tab 1.1 mg (0.5 mg elemental) PSM 358827

 * Noumed Pharmaceuticals is the sponsor until the new supplier takes over.

Who to contact

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