Ciprofloxacin tablets: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

In 2022 the supplier of ciprofloxacin tablets, Viatris, advised it was discontinuing supply. Pharmac has contracted with a new supplier and their product will be listed from 23 May 2024.

7 June 2024 update

Ipca-Ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets are listed from 23 May 2024. This will be the new brand on-going.

All orders of the 250 mg and 500 mg have been distributed to wholesalers. More stock of the 205 mg is due at the end of June 2024. It may take another week or two for the product to make its way through the supply chain to pharmacies.

Stock of a 750 mg is being air freighted once it clears a release process.

Please note: The supplier is restricting supply to try to ensure a fair distribution of the product due to demand.

Affected product

Viatris, the supplier of Cipflox, has discontinued all strengths of Cipflox brand ciprofloxicin. Stock has run out in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Schedule listing for ciprofloxicin(external link)

New product

Pharmac has sourced an on-going supply of ciprofloxacin tables. The 250 mg and 500 mg tablets were listed from 23 May 2024:

Chemical: Ciprofloxacin

  • Brand: Ipca-Ciprofloxacin
  • Pack size: 28
  • Supplier: Miro Healthcare
  • Presentation: tab 250 mg
    • Pharmacode 2676877 
    • Subsidy: $1.95

  • Presentation: tab 500 mg
    • Pharmacode 2676885
    • Subsidy: $3.10

The section 29 alternatives will remain listed on the Schedule for now to allow for all product to make its way through the supply chain and be claimed.

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.  

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)