Clarithromycin (Klacid) Tab 250 mg: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Due to unusually high demand, there is a supply issue affecting the Klacid brand clarithromycin (Pharmacode: 2606038)

Affected product

Due to unusually high demand, there may be an out of stock of the following product during March 2025.

Clarithromycin

  • Presentation: Tab 250 mg
  • Brand: Klacid
  • Pharmacode: 2606038 
  • Subsidy: $8.53
  • Measure / Qty: per 14

Schedule listing for Klacid 250 mg tablets(external link)

The 500 mg tablet and nasal spray are unaffected by this supply issue.

Alternative product

The supplier will import stock of Klaricid to ensure people can continue to access treatment. It will be listed from 1 March 2025. It is the same medicine with the same amount of active ingredient. However, it is labelled for the Greek market. 

Klaricid comes in packs of 12, where the currently listed brand comes in packs of 14.

It is not Medsafe registered so will have to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act. We have created a flier to support pharmacists' discussions with people.

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 people to continue 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)

Expected resupply 

The supplier only expects a short term out-of-stock for this product. The registered product should be available again in April 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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