Escitalopram: Supply issue resolved

Supply issue Active

Issues affecting Ipca-Escitalopram are resolved. Your pharmacist likely changed you to this brand between 1 November 2023 and 1 April 2024.

3 May 2024: Supply issue resolved

Ipca-Escitalopram 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets have now been approved by Medsafe.

The 10 mg Ipca-Escitalopram has been released by the supplier. It will take 1 to 2 weeks for stock of 10 mg Ipca-Escitalopram to be available at pharmacies.

  • Pharmacies should talk to their wholesalers for more accurate timings.
  • People wanting to fill their prescription should keep in touch with their local pharmacies about when stock might be available.

Stock of the 20 mg Ipca-Escitalopram has run out at supplier level. We expect there is enough stock in the supply chain to ensure 20 mg Ipca-Escitalopram remains available to people until a delivery next week. 

 

Affected product

The supplier was briefly unable to supply Medsafe-approved 10 mg Ipca-Escitalopram tablets. 

Miro, the supplier of Ipca-Escitalopram is working closely with Medsafe to meet the requirements to fully approve their product.

Alternative product

The 20 mg tablets have a score line so can be halved for two 10mg doses. Speak to your pharmacist or prescriber about whether this is a suitable alternative for you.

From 23 April 2024, the previous brand was funded:  

  • Presentation: Tab 10 mg
  • Brand: Escitalopram (Ethics)
  • Pharmacode: 2349310
  • Subsidy: $1.07
  • Measure / Qty: per 28

We acknowledge that swapping multiple between brands is not ideal, we have done this to ensure people can still access treatment. Medsafe has assessed these medicines, they have confirmed that they have the same active ingredient, in the same amount, and that they work in the body the same way.  

For pharmacists

Please counsel anyone needing to swap back to the Ethics brand temporarily that this is the same medicine that they have been taking and it will work the same as the Ipca-Escitalopram brand.

Claiming

Sector Operations weren't able to process claims for April dispensing of the above listing. Pharmacies can either:

  • hold these claims until May OR
  • reclaim them in May when they are rejected for payment in April claims.

Resolved 

Supply of Ipca-Escitalopram will return to normal by mid-May 2024.

Who to contact

If you have any questions about the brand change, talk to your pharmacist or the person who prescribes your escitalopram. They know you and your clinical history, they can offer you the best advice.

If you have questions about this supply issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz