Brevinor 1/28 (Ethinyloestradiol with norethisterone): Supply issue

Affected product

Due to an unexpected delay in sourcing the active ingredient, norethisterone, there is a supply issue affecting Brevinor 1/28 Day oral contraceptive.

• Chemical: Ethinyloestradiol with norethisterone
• Presentation: Tab 35 mcg with norethisterone 1 mg 
• Brand: Brevinor 1/28
• Pharmacode: 303542
• Subsidy: $12.25
• Measure / Qty: per 84

Schedule listing for Brevinor 1/28(external link)

Three-month dispensing

All-at-once (stat) dispensing does not currently apply to this product. People can only collect three-months' supply at a time. We will reconsider all-at-once dispensing once the stock situation is resolved.

Alternative product

Alyacen 1/35 (pharmacode 2688441) will be funded from 1 October 2024 and a brand switch fee will apply. As of 18 October 2024, it is provisionally Medsafe-approved. The section 29 flag in the Schedule will be removed for 1 December 2024. 

Alyacen 1/35 contains the same active ingredients in the same quantities as Brevinor 1/28. However, it uses the American name for norethisterone, which is norethindrone.

Expected resolution

The supplier, Pfizer, expects supply to return to normal by early February 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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