Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg tab: Supply issue resolved

Aspen, the supplier, experienced a supply issue with lorazepam 1 mg tablets (Pharmacode 2139022).

12 August 2022: Aspen advises that they have stock again. It may take a few days for this stock to make its way through the supply chain from Aspen, through wholesalers to pharmacies. 

Affected product

Pharmaceutical supplier Aspen has notified Pharmac of a supply issue affecting lorazepam 1 mg tablets. 

  • Chemical: Lorazepam
  • Presentation: Tab 1 mg
  • Brand: Ativan
  • Pharmacode: 2139022  

Dispensing limit will be removed 31 August 2022 

Effective immediately, pharmacists can dispense a maximum of 7 days' supply of lorazepam 1 mg tablets. This limit is in place until 31 August 2022.

The pharmacist must clearly annotate the prescription for lorazepam 1 mg tab with the words “out of stock” or “OOS” and initial the annotation in their own handwriting. 

Pharmac is using rule 5.5 of the General Rules of the Schedule to limit dispensing quantities for this medicine. 

Rule 5.5 of the General Rules

We do not make this change lightly

We acknowledge the inconvenience that dispensing only 7 days may cause. Limiting dispensing helps distribute the supply of lorazepam as fairly as possible. 

We appreciate pharmacists' vital role in responding to this issue.

Lorazepam resupplied as at 12 August 2022

Aspen advises that they have ample stock of Ativan 1 mg lorazepam. It may take a few days for supplies of this product to reach pharmacies due to localised logistics issues. 

We appreciate your support during this supply issue.

 

Who to contact

If you have questions about this supply issue, contact Aspen Pharmacare on 

If you have any questions about funding, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz