Calcium carbonate oral liq 250 mg per ml: Supply issue

The registered Roxane brand of calcium carbonate oral liquid is out of stock (Pharmacode 2428407). Supply of other brand is constrained.

28 June 2023

We have been advised that the s29 endorsement for Calcium Carbonate PAI is missing from the Schedule. This product is not Medsafe approved and should be prescribed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act. 

We are updating the Schedule and it will show the s29 endorsement from 1 August 2023. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

Affected product

Chemical: Calcium carbonate

Presentation: oral liq 250 mg per ml (100 mg elemental per ml)

  • Brand: Roxane
  • Pharmacode: 2428407
  • Measure: per 500 ml

Alternative listed product

  • Brand: Calcium Carbonate PAI
  • Pharmacode: 2652935
  • Measure: per 473 ml

Calcium Carbonate PAI is not Medsafe approved. The Schedule will reflect this status from 1 August 2023.

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 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 – such as, a doctor. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

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

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Resupplied 

Supply of the Calcium Carbonat PAI brand is available. It will be the supplied brand from now on. Supply is constrained but the supplier expects to meet current demands.

Alternative product

While there was a supply issue affecting the oral liquids, we amended the endorsement criteria for calcium carbonate effervescent tablets 1.25 g(external link) (500 mg elemental) (pharmacode 2633817) to align with that of the oral liquids from 1 April 2023.

From 1 July the endorsement will be returned to its original, that is effervescent tablets are only available for children under 5 years old for whom oral liquid isn't suitable. 

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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