API Consumer Brands
API Consumer Brands has closed its Auckland manufacturing plant and withdrawn from the New Zealand pharmaceutical market.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.
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 |
| Domperidone | Tab 10 mg |
Domperidone Viatris |
Viatris | 1 February 2023 | 1 July 2023 |
| Fluoride | Tab 1.1 mg (0.5 mg elemental) | None - Delisted 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 |
| Prochlorperazine | Tab 3 mg buccal | Not contracted. Max Health has taken over supply | Max Health | n/a | n/a |
| Sodium fluoride | Tab 1.1 mg (0.5 mg elemental) | None - Delisted 1 March 2023 |
Products we're still working on
| Chemical | Presentation | Brand | Pharmacode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dexamfetamine sulfate * We have listed a temporary brand |
Tab 5 mg | PSM | 2461374 |
| Isoniazid * | Tab 100 mg | PSM | 267473 |
| Permethrin * We have not found a replacement, but the Scabies-A lotion is available |
Crm 5% | Lyderm | 479233 |
| Phenobarbitone * | Tab 15 mg | PSM | 765481 |
| Phenobarbitone * | Tab 30 mg | PSM | 439886 |
* 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