Octreotide 50, 100 and 500 mcg per ml ampoules: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

There is a supply issue affecting 50, 100, 500 mcg/ml ampoules (Pharmacodes 2629534, 2629518, and 2629526).

12 December 2024 | Update

All three strengths are now out of stock of the registered products. Stock of the listed alternatives is available.

Affected products

The supplier for octreotide injection (Max Health) advised it is facing increasing difficulty sourcing octreotide. This has lead to limited supply of three presentations of octreotide. 

Chemical Presentation Brand Pharmacode Subsidy Measure/Qty
Octreotide inj 50 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule Max Health 2629534 $27.58 per 5
Octreotide Inj 100 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule Max Health 2629518 $32.71 per 5
Octreotide inj 500 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule Max Health 2629526 $113.10 per 5

Schedule listing for octreotide(external link)

Alternative product

Max Health sourced an alternatives and they listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. They are not Medsafe approved, meaning they need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act. Note the 100 mcg strength is a vial, not an ampoule.

Chemical Presentation Brand Pharmacode Subsidy Measure/Qty
Octreotide Inj 50 mcg per ml, 1 ml amp Octreotide GH 2595907 $27.58 per 5
Octreotide Inj 100 mcg per ml, 1 ml vial Omega 2687275 $48.50 per 5
Octreotide Inj 500 mcg per ml, 1 ml vial Omega 2694433 $113.10 per 5

Expected resupply

Pharmac is working closely with Max Health to ensure this treatment remains available to New Zealanders.

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.

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)