Bisoprolol: Ipca-Bisoprolol is your new brand

Bisoprolol fumarate is used to treat a range of cardiovascular conditions, including chronic heart failure, angina and hypertension. The brand has changed from Bisoprolol Mylan or Viatris to Ipca-Bisoprolol.

What changed?

The funded brand of bisoprolol fumarate changed from Bisoprolol Mylan or Viatris to Ipca-Bisoprolol.

This change began on 1 November 2023. There was a five-month transition period, from 1 November 2023 until 1 April 2024. 

When the new brand will be available

  • From 1 November 2023 Ipca-Bisoprolol is fully funded and available
  • From 1 April 2024 only Ipca-Bisoprolol is fully funded. Neither Bisoprolol Mylan or Bisoprolol Viatris will no longer be funded. 

If you want to stay on your current brand of bisoprolol fumarate, you can ask your pharmacist to check its price and availability. Pharmac cannot guarantee the availability or price of the old brands of bisoprolol after 1 April 2024. 

Ipca-Bisoprolol works the same way 

  • Ipca-Bisoprolol has the same active ingredient which is delivered to the body in the same way.
  • Ipca-Bisoprolol has been evaluated by Medsafe to ensure it’s safe. 

The only difference is the look. You shouldn’t notice any difference to the effects when you change to Ipca-Bisoprolol. 

If you have any questions about this change, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. 

Ipca-Bisoprolol, Bisoprolol Mylan and Bisoprolol Viatris are all "generic" versions of bisoprolol.

About generic medicines

How Ipca-Bisoprolol compares to the previous brands

Presentation Bisoprolol Mylan
and Viatris		  Ipca-Bisoprolol
2.5 mg An oval grey pill, with indents on the longer edge. A centre score and the letters BL M etched on it The back of the grey pill has 2.5 etched on it A round white tablet with a 41 etched on it
5 mg An oval tan pill with indents on the long side. THere's a centre score and the letters BL M etched on it The back of the tan coloured pill has 5 etched on it A round yellowish tablet with a 39 etched on it
10 mg A light-orange oval pill, with indents on the long side. There is a centre score and the letters BL M etched on it. The back of the light orange pill has the number 10 etched on it A round dark yellow/tan coloured tablet with a 37 etched on it

* Not shown to scale

Your brand is changing to help us fund other medicines

A decision to change a medicine is not taken lightly. Our job is to make sure New Zealanders have access to the medicines they need. Making changes to medicines helps us achieve that by freeing up our limited budget to fund other medicines in the community. 

For healthcare professionals

You play an important role in supporting patients through changes to medicines. 

Key points to tell your patients about Ipca-Bisoprolol

  • Ipca-Bisoprolol has the same active ingredient as Bisoprolol Mylan/Bisoprolol Viatris
  • The new brand is just as safe and works the same as the old brand.
  • People shouldn’t notice any difference in how it affects them.
  • People take Ipca-Bisoprolol at the same frequency as their old brand. 

Download a flyer for people who take bisoprolol

Who to contact

If you have any questions about changing brands, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you have questions about funding: