Paracetamol (intravenous (IV) solution) 10 mg / ml 100 ml vial: Hospital supply issue

Affected product

Fresenius Kabi, the supplier of IV paracetamol solution for injection/infusion 10 mg per ml 100 ml vial, has advised Pharmac that it is facing supply constraint due to a delay with manufacturing. This is having a global impact, with Australia affected too.

• Chemical: paracetamol
• Presentation: intravenous (IV) solution for injection/infusion 
• Strength: 10 mg per ml, 100 ml vials
• Brand: Kabi
• Pharmacode: 2523965

Paracetamol Kabi schedule listing(external link)

Please note that IV paracetamol solution for injection/infusion 10 mg per ml, 100 ml vials is a hospital only medicine.

Unaffected products

All other presentations of paracetamol (500 mg tablets, 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg suppositories, and oral liquid 120 mg and 250 mg per ml) are not affected by this supply issue.

Clinicians will need to decide on the appropriate treatment course for their patients.

Supply of IV paracetamol solution

Fresenius Kabi expects to return to normal supply in late September 2024. 

Fresenius Kabi has been supplying IV paracetamol in 10 mg per ml, 100 ml bags, in place of the vials. The bags have been on allocation to ensure a fair distribution around the motu. 

Fresenius Kabi has some stock arriving from overseas sources that are in glass vials. They have received a Medsafe exemption for a batch from Malaysia. The paracetamol is manufactured in the same facility and is the same formulation as the New Zealand stock.

Letter that will accompany the stock with more information [PDF, 96 KB]

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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