Salbutamol (Asthalin) nebuliser 1 mg and 2 mg per ml: Supply issue

Affected product

Due to manufacturing delays, Rex Medical (the supplier) ran out of the 1 mg / ml strength in July 2025. 

• Brand: Asthalin
• Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
• Pharmacode: 2154315
• Subsidy: $8.96
• Measure / Qty: per 20

Rex has been closely monitoring stock of the 2 mg per ml strength. It is expected to run out during September 2025. More stock is expected by late September 2025. 

• Brand: Asthalin
• Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 2 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
• Pharmacode: 2154323
• Subsidy: $9.43
• Measure / Qty: per 20

Alternative products for the 1 mg / ml

Using the 2 mg/ml strength 

The 2 mg/ml strength may be dispensed as an alternative. Pharmacists, please explain to people how to dilute this product to the prescribed strength.

If you use Asthalin nebulisers, please make sure you've spoken to your health care provider about how to get the right strength before you use it. 

Alternative 1 mg / ml listed 1 August 2025

An alternative was funded from 1 August 2025. We expect stock to arrive some time in October 2025. There will be a supply gap before the alternative becomes available.

• Chemical: Salbutamol
• Brand: UK Cipla
• Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
• Pharmacode: 2710811
• Subsidy: $8.96
• Measure / Qty: per 20
• Unapproved medicine.

Alternative product for the 2 mg / ml listed 1 September 2025

Rex expects stock of this alternative product to arrive later by mid-September 2025. It is not Medsafe approved and will need to be used in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act. Once this alternative product is available, Rex will reserve remaining Asthalin stock for ambulance use.

• Brand: UK Cipla
• Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 2 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
• Pharmacode: 2712199
• Subsidy: $9.43
• Measure / Qty: per 20

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Resupply dates

We are working with Rex Medical to understand when the registered Asthalin 1 mg / ml product (Pharmacode: 2154315) will be available again.

Rex Medical expects the registered Asthalin 2 mg / ml product (Pharmacode: 2154323) to be available again by December 2025.

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.  

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