Flecainide acetate tab 50 mg: Supply issue

Affected product

• Chemical: Flecainide acetate
• Presentation: Tab 50 mg
• Brand: Flecainide BNM
• Pharmacode: 2567695
• Subsidy: $19.95
• Measure / Qty: per 60

There is a separate supply issue affecting the 100 mg caps of flecainide

The 200 mg cap and Inj 10 mg per ml, 15 ml ampoule presentations are not affected by this supply issue.

Schedule listing for flecainide acetate(external link)

Alternative product

We have listed an alternative brand from 1 November 2023. 

• Chemical: Flecainide acetate
• Presentation: Tab 50 mg
• Brand: Flecatab
• Pharmacode: 2666928
• Subsidy: $19.95
• Measure / Qty: per 60

The alternative product is supplied under Section 29

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)

Expected resupply December 2023

Boucher and Muir expect normal supply to resume in December 2023.

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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