Mesalazine 800 mg tablets (Asacol): Supply issue
Chiesi, the supplier, has reported a supply constraint of 800 mg Asacol tabs from late February until August 2024.
15 August 2024 update
The supplier has advised that all back orders have been filled to wholesalers. However, we understand that some wholesalers are still waiting for stock. This will have an effect on availability in pharmacies. We are working with the supplier to understand the supply situation.
If mesalazine is unavailable, people will need to talk to their prescriber about a new prescription for a suitable alternative. There are other funded products:
Affected product
Chiesi, the supplier, has reported a supply constraint of 800 mg Asacol tablets.
- Chemical: Mesalazine
- Brand: Asacol
- Pharmacode: 2470616 and 2536552
- Subsidy: $85.50
- Measure / Qty: per 90
Schedule listing for mesalazine(external link)
This supply constraint primarily affects the 800 mg tablet of mesalazine. Other presentations remain available.
Alternative products
We have received clinical advice that people can take two 400 mg tablets of mesalazine if they require the 800 mg dose.
If mesalazine is unavailable, people will need to talk to their prescriber about a new prescription for a suitable alternative. There are other funded products:
Schedule therapeutic group(external link)
Supplier now out of stock of section 29 alternative
To ensure a product remains available, Chiesi brought in Australian-branded Asacol. While the packaging is similar, it will still need to be prescribed and supplied as an unapproved medicine.
Chiesi letter to prescribers about the alternative product [PDF, 106 KB]
It was listed from 1 April 2024.
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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