Olanzapine depot injections: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Pharmaco, the supplier, advises that there is a global supply issue affecting the olanzapine depot injection (Zyprexa Relprevv).

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Update 15 January 2026 | Funding mechanism update

From 1 February 2026, prescribers will be able to use the standard Special Authority channel to start patients on olanzapine depot injections. 

The funding criteria remain tightened because there continues to be supply constraint for this product. We have made this change to reduce the administrative burden for prescribers. 

Special Authority for new initiations on olanzapine

Since 1 April 2024, clinicians needed to use Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances process to start new patients on olanzapine depot injections. 

From 1 February 2026, clinicians can start treatment using a Special Authority again. The criteria remain the same as for the Exceptional Circumstances application, supply is not yet secure enough to return to the original access criteria.

Special Authority for Subsidy

Initial application from any relevant practitioner. Approvals valid for 12 months for applications meeting the following criteria:

All of the following: 

  1. Either:
    1. The patient has had an initial Special Authority approval for paliperidone depot injection or risperidone depot injection; or
    2.    All of the following:
      1. The patient has schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder; and
      2. The patient has tried but failed to comply with treatment using oral atypical antipsychotic agents; and
      3. The patient has been admitted to hospital or treated in respite care, or intensive outpatient or home-based treatment for 30 days or more in the last 12 months; and
  2. The patient has trialled other funded depot antipsychotics (aripiprazole, risperidone, and paliperidone) unless it is considered clinically inappropriate to use these; and
  3. The patient continues to have difficulties with adherence on oral antipsychotic treatments; and 
  4. Prescribing clinician has relevant Clinical Director (Mental Health and Addiction services) approval.

The "no new patients" and "for continuation only" endorsements will also be removed from the Schedule and HML from 1 February 2026.

Advice for prescribers

Pharmac’s Mental Health Advisory Committee has advised that, while oral formulations of olanzapine and other antipsychotic depot injections are available, individual clinicians will need to decide on the appropriate treatment course for their patients.

Reason for supply issue

Pharmaco, the supplier, has advised that there are limits on the amount of olanzapine depot injection that can be made. This is in part due to limited supply of the main active ingredient (API). Pharmaco is working with its global partners to ensure as much stock is allocated to New Zealand as possible

This means New Zealand is only getting the stock that is allotted to us. The duration of the supply issue remains uncertain. We are working closely with Pharmaco to understand when the supply of olanzapine depot injection will likely be resolved. 

Stock situation

The product remains on allocation because future deliveries remain uncertain. Stock of olanzapine depot injections continues to be allocated from the supplier to wholesalers, and from wholesalers to their customers (pharmacies and hospitals). 

We continue to monitor the stock situation and will reassess funding criteria when supply is more secure.

Schedule listing for olanzapine injections(external link)

Unaffected products

Other presentations of olanzapine are unaffected by this supply issue. There is a separate issue affecting 10 mg olanzapine tablets (brand name Zypine).

Medicine supply notice for olanzapine 10 mg tablets

Other funded antipsychotic depot injections are available:

Schedule listing of antipsychotic depot injections(external link)

Advice for people using the depot injection olanzapine (Zyprexa Relprevv)

Pharmac and Pharmaco (the supplier) are working together to make sure supply of the olanzapine depot injection is maintained. Pharmac will continue to seek advice to lessen the impact of this supply issue.

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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Pharmac is a government agency. We do not sell medicines or related products.