Oxycodone (OxyNorm) oral liquid: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Supply of the oxycodone oral liquid (Pharmacode: 2243687) is constrained.

21 June 2024 update

There is a delay in the arrival of Oxycodone Lucis S29 (Pharmacode 2678500), the alternative funded brand of oxycodone oral liquid. The supplier expects stock to be available from early to mid-July.

Some wholesalers are out of stock of OxyNorm. Clinical advice we have received says that oral liquid morphine is a suitable alternative. There is stock available of the 1 mg and 2 mg per ml strengths. 

Prescribers: Consider prescribing morphine oral liquid to preserve the remaining stock of oxycodone oral liquid for people who can't take morphine.

Review prescribing practice

We have received clinical advice that it may be appropriate for clinicians to review their prescribing practice around opioids. 

Revisiting opioid use in New Zealand: how does your prescribing compare? BPACnz(external link)

Supply status

We believe the recent supply issue affecting morphine oral liquid resulted in additional demand for the oxycodone oral liquid. If any prescriber changed people's prescriptions to oxycodone, please consider changing them back to morphine oral liquid. Stock of morphine oral liquid is available. 

Stock availability for OxyNorm oxycodone oral liquid

  • Presentation: Oral liq 5 mg per 5 ml
  • Pharmacode: 2243687
  • Out of stock with the supplier

There is also a supply issue affecting oxycodone immediate release capsules.

Alternative: Oxycodone Lucis S29

This was listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule on 1 June 2024. Note this is an unapproved medicine. The supplier plans to seek Medsafe approval for this product. Expected to be available from early to mid-July 2024.

  • Presentation: Oral liq 1 mg per ml (note Oxynorm was labelled 5 mg / 5 ml)
  • Brand: Oxycodone Lucis
  • Unapproved medicine supplied under section 29 of the Medicines Act
  • Pharmacode: 2678500
  • Subsidy: $37.08
  • Measure / Qty: per 250 ml

Schedule listing for Oxycodone Lucis(external link)

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(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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