Omeprazole (20 mg capsules): Supply issue

Affected products

Delivery of the next shipment of 20 and 40 mg strengths of omeprazole capsules was delayed because of events in the Red Sea. 

Schedule listing for omeprazole(external link)

Powder remains available. A separate supply issue is affecting the 40 mg ampoules.

What Pharmac is doing

On 1 March 2024, we moved all three omeprazole capsule presentations to monthly dispensing. Once stock levels have returned to normal, we will return omeprazole to all-at-once (stat) dispensing.

Supply status

10 mg capsules – stock is available with another shipment in early May. 

20 mg capsules – stock has arrived and is available from wholesalers. More stock is arriving late April and early May. 

40 mg capsules – stock is available with another shipment in late April.  

Alternative treatments

We have received advice that people can use multiples of lower dose capsules to make up the needed dose, such as, two 10 mg capsules to make up a 20 mg dose. There are also other funded alternatives.

Schedule listings for proton pump inhibitors(external link)

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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