Ipratropium nebuliser (500 mcg/2 ml) (Univent): Supply issue
Rex Medical advised that it is out of stock of its ipratropium nebuliser solution (Pharmacode 2154307).
29 August 2024 Update
Rex Medical has found another alternative ipratropium nebuliser to ensure there's no disruption to supply. This was listed from 1 August 2024.
Affected product
Rex Medical is out of stock of:
- Chemical: Ipratropium bromide
- Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
- Brand: Univent
- Pharmacode: 2154307
- Subsidy: $11.73
- Measure / Qty: per 20
Schedule listing for ipratropium nebuliser solution(external link)
Alternative product
Rex Medical is supplying another section 29 alternative while this supply issue continues. It was listed from 1 August 2024. Note that this product is "per 10", compared to "per 20" of previous alternates.
Alternative listed from 1 August 2024
- Brand: Pharmascience
- Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
- Pharmacode: 2687070
- Subsidy: $5.86
- Measure / Qty: per 10
- Unapproved medicine supplied under Section 29
- Wastage applies
Alternative listed from 4 June 2024
- Presentation: Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule
- Brand: Ipratropium IVAX
- Pack size: 20
- Subsidy and price: $11.73 (ex-man., ex. GST)
- Pharmacode: 2680815
Schedule listing for ipratropium bromide(external link)
Section 29 medicine on a Practitioner’s Supply Orders (PSO)
Ipratropium nebulisers are available on Practitioner’s Supply Order (PSO). Normally unregistered medicines cannot be used on PSO because section 29 of the Medicines Act requires that the patient to be known at the time of supply.
As holding an emergency supply of ipratropium nebulisers may be essential for patient safety, this section 29 product can be supplied to medical practitioners on a PSO. The practitioner must provide the patient details to the pharmacy retrospectively.
Prescribing and supplying a medicine under section 29
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
The Univent nebuliser will not be available again until mid to late 2024.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the funding for this product, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.