Morphine sulphate ampoules: Brand change
The funded brand of morphine sulphate ampoules is changing from DBL Morphine Sulphate to Medsurge.
Updated 7 December 2022
Now includes information about formulation and excipients.
Affected product
This brand change will affect all strengths of morphine sulphate ampoules:
- 5 mg per mL (Medsurge Pharmacode 2602431)
- 10 mg per mL (Medsurge Pharmacode 2602458)
- 15 mg per mL (Medsurge Pharmacode 2602466)
- 30 mg per mL (Medsurge Pharmacode 2602474)
Medsurge’s Morphine ampoules have been approved by Medsafe.
Morphine sulphate in the Community Schedule(external link)
Morphine sulphate in the HML(external link)
Key information for healthcare professionals
- Packaging of the Medsurge brand will look different. Both brands of morphine ampoule use colour coding to differentiate between strengths, and the colour coding is not the same between brands.
- The Medsurge individual ampoules will be colour coded, matching the corresponding packaging.
- The Medsurge 15 mg per mL and 30 mg per mL ampoules have similar shades of brown colour-coding on the packaging and individual ampoules. Attention is required to ensure the correct strength is chosen for administration.
- We understand that morphine may be combined with other IV medicines. All strengths of DBL Morphine and Medsurge morphine ampoules are the morphine sulphate pentahydrate salt, are preservative free, and contain the same excipients. Because of this, we don’t expect any differences with the Medsurge brand compared to the DBL brand.
| Brand | Salt | Excipients | Incompatibilities (noted on the datasheet) | pH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medsurge(external link) | Morphine sulphate | Hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride, water for injection | Thiopentone: forms an inactive preparation when combined | 3.2 – 4.5 |
| DBL Morphine Sulphate(external link) | Morphine sulphate | Hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride, water for injection | Thiopentone: forms an inactive preparation when combined | 3.2 – 4.0 |
He Ako Hiringa have developed an educational resource to support healthcare professionals with this brand change.
Timeline
1 October: Medsurge brand of morphine ampoules were listed on the Schedule
December: We expect stock of DBL Morphine Sulphate to begin running out
31 March 2023: DBL morphine sulphate will be delisted. Medsurge will be the only funded brand of morphine sulphate ampoules.
Why is this happening?
This brand change is a result of our annual tender process.
Who to contact
If you have questions, email us on enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz