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

Supply issue Active

A manufacturing delay has delayed resupply of Asthalin salbutamol 1 mg / ml nebuliser solution (Pharmacode 2154315).

5 September 2023 update

Alternatives to Asthalin are funded from 1 September. But they will not appear in the Online Schedule until 1 October 2023. 

Affected product

Rex Medical, the supplier, advises that the manufacturing site for Asthalin 1 mg has temporarily halted production to facilitate annual validation. Rex Medical has moved production of these medicines to a second registered site. This has caused a delay in resupply.

Rex Medical, the supplier, has placed this product on strict allocation and has advised supply is likely to be constrained.

  • Chemical: Salbutamol
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule - Up to 30 neb available on a PSO
  • Brand: Asthalin
  • Pharmacode: 2154315

Schedule listings for Asthalin(external link)

This issue also affects salbutamol with ipratropium nebuliser solution 2.5 mg (Duolin) 

Alternative treatment

We ask that hospitals consider using the higher 2 mg per ml strength of Asthalin (Pharmacode: 2154323)(external link) as an interim solution until an alternative is available. We've received clinical advice that this can be mixed with 50% saline to dilute the concentration.

Pharmac has sourced two alternative medicines. These alternatives are chemically identical to the funded product and will be listed under Section 29. They will be will be funded from 1 September 2023. They will not appear in the Schedule until 1 October 2023.

Details for the alternatives:

  • Chemical: Salbutamol 
  • Brand: Ventolin Nebules
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
  • Pharmacode: 2663775
  • Pack size: 20 ampoules
  • Subsidy: $8.96 per pack
  • Section 29 rules apply
  • Chemical: Salbutamol 
  • Brand: Accord
  • Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 1 mg per ml, 2.5 ml ampoule
  • Pharmacode: 2663686
  • Pack size: 20 ampoules
  • Subsidy: $51.11 per pack
  • Section 29 rules apply

A small amount of Ventolin Nebules salbutamol (owned by Glaxo Group Ltd) has been secured to meet immediate demand, and a larger volume of Accord salbutamol will be arriving in the country shortly to maintain continuity of supply until Asthalin is back in stock.

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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