Hydrocortisone butyrate (Locoid products) 0.1%: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

There is a supply issue affecting three presentations of Locoid products, the cream (Pharmacode 521957), scalp application (Pharmacode 210307), and milky emulsion (Pharmacode 2017458).

28 November 2024 | Update

In addition to the cream, there Locoid scalp application (Pharmacode 210307) and milky emulsion (Pharmacode 2017458) may go out of stock briefly during December 2024. Stock is running low and the next shipment is due in January 2025.  

Affected product

There may be a brief out of stock of this product, caused by a delay in shipping.

  • Chemical: Hydrocortisone butyrate
  • Presentation: Lipocream 0.1%
  • Brand: Locoid Lipocream
  • Pharmacode: 521957
  • Subsidy: $4.85
  • Measure / Qty: per 100 g OP

Schedule listing for hydrocortisone butyrate(external link)

Alternative products

Cream and milky emulsion

The Locoid ointment remains available. We have been advised that this is a suitable alternative to the cream and milky emulsion. 

Rule 3.4.2, allows pharmacists to dispense the ointment presentation in place of the cream or milky emulsion, so a new prescription should not be needed. 

Scalp application

There are other funded treatments, including other presentations of the same chemical or other scalp applications. Prescribers are best placed to advise on a suitable alternative. 

Schedule listings for other scalp applications(external link)

There are supply issues affecting related products.

Betamethasone valerate (Beta Scalp)

Clobetasol propionate (Dermol) Scalp(external link) (external link)

Resupply

The cream is expected by early December 2024

The delayed shipment is expected to arrive by the end of November 2024. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks for the product to reach pharmacies around the motu. 

The scalp application and milky emulsion are expected in January 2025

We are working with the supplier on more specific timing for the resupply of these products.

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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