Benzbromarone: Discontinuation
The supplier of benzbromarone has informed us they are unable to secure ongoing supply of the 50 mg and 100 mg tablets in New Zealand.
On this page
Benzbromarone to be discontinued
There has been significant difficulty sourcing this product globally. Supply of any approved or unapproved benzbromarone brand is unpredictable.
Based on the ongoing uncertainty in supply, we will delist benzbromarone from the Pharmaceutical Schedule. There is no date currently set for this.
This is not a step we have taken lightly. We acknowledge the disruption this is likely to cause for both patients and prescribers.
Information for people taking benzbromarone
PHARMAC is not able to secure a supply of benzbromarone in the long term. This means you will need to change to another medicine for your gout.
We understand that changing to a different medicine is not easy and we apologise for this situation.
Talk to your doctor
We have already written to the doctor who prescribes benzbromarone for you. We've asked your doctor to contact you to discuss the different medicines that you could use instead to treat your gout.
If your doctor has not contacted you, please contact them to talk about changing your medicines. Your doctor will answer any questions you have.
Expert advice
We told your doctor that three New Zealand gout experts are available to help. Together they can work out the best medicine for you to treat your gout and any other health conditions you have.
These experts are:
Dr Nicola Dalbeth | Rheumatologist
Dr Peter Gow | Rheumatologist
Leanne Te Karu | Pharmacist Prescriber
More information
Information for prescribers
Prescribers will need to:
- ensure no new patients are started on benzbromarone
- transition patients currently taking benzbromarone to an alternative urate-lowering treatment as soon as possible
Download a letter you can use to contact your patient [DOC, 237 KB]
The Ministry of Health is only accepting Special Authority renewals for benzbromarone. They are not approving initial applications.
Specialist gout advice for prescribers
In addition to your local arrangements for specialist advice, two leading gout rheumatologists have made themselves available to support prescribers with any individual patient concerns or questions.
Email your contact details to enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz and one of them will be in touch
Further information
BPACnz has recent New Zealand-based clinical guidance on gout management.
Alternative treatment options
PHARMAC has received clinical advice from the Rheumatology Sub-committee of PTAC.
They advise that practitioners should reconsider whether alternative urate-lowering therapies – such as allopurinol and probenecid – can be used safely, if they are not already. Where possible, these therapies should be titrated to maximal doses.
Check the funded medicines for gout in the Schedule
Febuxostat is also available by Special Authority
We have amended the Special Authority criteria for febuxostat. This gives patients transitioning from benzbromarone to access funded febuxostat.
Check the Schedule listing for the latest Special Authority form(external link)
For pharmacists
We understand limited supplies of benzbromarone are available. However, as there is ongoing uncertainty in supply, it is likely benzbromarone will be delisted from Section B and Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule. There is no date currently set for this.
We will update this page if benzabromarone is delisted.
Who to contact
If you are taking benzbromarone, talk to your GP or rheumatologist about your options for continuing to manage your gout.
If you are a prescriber seeking:
- specialist advice, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
- a Special Authority waiver, email waivers@pharmac.govt.nz