Lenalidomide: Lenalidomide Viatris is your new brand

Brand change Active

Lenalidomide is used to treat plasma cell dyscrasias (predominantly multiple myeloma).

What is changing?

The funded brand of lenalidomide is changing from Revlimid to Lenalidomide Viatris. This change began on 1 August 2024. People have 6 months to change to Lenalidomide Viatris. From 1 February 2025, Lenalidomide Viatris will be the only funded brand.

When the new brand will be available

  • From 1 August 2024 
    • Lenalidomide Viatris is fully funded and available
    • New patients start on Lenalidomide Viatris
  • From 1 February 2025 
    • Only Lenalidomide Viatris fully funded. 
    • Revlimid no longer funded.

Lenalidomide Viatris works the same way as Revlimid

  • Lenalidomide Viatris has the same active ingredient which is delivered to the body in the same way.
  • Lenalidomide Viatris has been evaluated by Medsafe to ensure it meets standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.

You shouldn’t notice any difference when you change to Lenalidomide Viatris.

If you have any questions about this change, talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

About generic medicines

Your brand is changing to help us fund other medicines

A decision to change a medicine is not taken lightly.  Our job is to make sure New Zealanders have access to the medicines they need. Making changes to medicines helps us achieve that by freeing up our limited budget to fund other medicines in the community.

For prescribers and pharmacists

Changing the funded brand of lenalidomide has resulted in a new risk management programme (pregnancy prevention programmes) being introduced to New Zealand. Health care professionals who are either prescribing or dispensing these treatments will have to register for access to this programme.

You will be prompted to create an account before you can access the site. Once logged in, you can find downloadable/printable information resources for health care professionals and patients.

Lenalidomide Viatris (Viatris) pregnancy prevention programme

Viatris is providing online and telephone support to health care professionals.

Special authority changes

Lenalidomide Viatris and Revlimid will have different Special Authority numbers. Existing patients were automatically issued a Special Authority number for Lenalidomide Viatris. This means that these people will have two Special Authorities (one for Revlimid and one for Lenalidomide Viatris) until 1 February 2025. 

Any new patients prescribed lenalidomide from 1 August 2024 should have been started on Lenalidomide Viatris. 

Key points to tell your patients about Lenalidomide Viatris

  • Lenalidomide Viatris has the same active ingredient as Revlimid
  • The new brand is just as safe and works the same as the old brand.
  • Patients shouldn’t notice any difference in how it affects them.

Pharmacists' information

Pharmacies that can dispense lenalidomide

Any pharmacy that has an agreement to provide community pharmacy services can dispense and claim for lenalidomide. Pharmacies do not require a specific agreement to dispense lenalidomide.

Ordering Lenalidomide Viatris

Lenalidomide Viatris is available to order through your preferred pharmaceutical wholesaler. Unlike the Revlimid brand, which can only be ordered from Healthcare Logistics (HCL). 

Brand switch fee

A brand switch fee has been applied to Lenalidomide Viatris. Pharmacies can claim the brand switch fee from 1 February 2025.

We appreciate the time you take to counsel people about brand changes. 

More about brand switch fees

Who to contact

If you have any questions about changing brands, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Any questions about signing up to the Lenalidomide Viatris Pregnancy Prevention Programme can be directed to:

If you have questions about funding or access criteria: