Mesalazine 400 mg tablets (Asacol): Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Chiesi, the supplier, now has stock of both the 800 mg and 400 mg tablets

18 October 2024 update

The supplier advises that there is limited stock of the 400 mg tablets. The next shipment of 400 mg tablets to arrive in the first week of November 2024.

There is ample supply of the 800 mg tablets. Where relevant, please ensure people who can take 800 mg tablets are being dispensed the 800 mg tablet (rather than multiples of the 400 mg). 

Affected product

Chiesi, the supplier, had reported a supply constraint of 400 mg Asacol tablets.

  • Chemical: Mesalazine
  • Brand: Asacol
  • Pharmacode: 241113 and 2536544
  • Subsidy: $49.50
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

This supply issue follows a supply issue affecting the 800 mg Asacol tablets, where the 400 mg were used as an alternative. This has now been resolved and we ask that people who can take the 800 mg tablets are dispensed them.  

Schedule listing for mesalazine(external link)

Resupply expected

The supplier is expecting a large shipment of the 400 mg tablets to arrive in the first week of November 2024. It will take another one to two weeks for that stock to move through the supply chain to pharmacies around the motu. 

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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