Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan): Supply issue resolved

Affected product

This supply issue only affects the Buscopan injections (pharmacode 770833). There is stock of the tablets (pharmacode 252328).

Alternative product

A product is being brought in from Australia for hospitals and community pharmacies. It's arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand, but will take time to clear quality control and make its way to pharmacies. The product was listed in the Schedule from 20 February 2023. 

This alternative is not Medsafe approved and will need to be supplied in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.

In addition, CDC is arranging a supply for hospitals.

Prescribing and supplying a medicine under section 29

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 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 – e.g., doctors. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. This is the only alternative available to ensure people can continue to access treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

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

What patients need to know about section 29 medicines – Health Navigator website(external link)

Pharmacists information

This listing will not appear in the Online Schedule until it is updated for 1 March 2023.

• RxOne users: the changes will be automatically updated by RxOne from the effective date. 
• TONIQ users: the changes will automatically be updated in Toniq medicine databases from the effective date.

Note that Sector Operations Group will be unable to process claims for February 2023 dispensing of the above listing. Pharmacies can either:

• hold these claims until March 2023 OR
• reclaim them in March 2023 when they are rejected for payment in February 2023 claims.

Resupply

All the section 29 stock has been distributed to wholesalers. An air freight delivery of the registered product is expected to arrive on 2 March. The supplier aims to have the product to wholesalers, so they can start filling orders by 6 March. 

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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