Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys): Potential supply issue

Supply issue Active

Due to global shortages, Echo Therapeutics (the supplier) is closely managing the supply of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pharmacode: 2162806).

Update 17 April 2025

Pharmac understands that the issue with this product is ongoing and there may potentially be a shortage of product from June to August 2025. 

Pharmac is working closely with Echo Therapeutics to reduce the impact of any stock shortages. However, we ask prescribers to note the advice of the President of the Haematological Society of Australia and New Zealand(external link).

Affected product

Echo Therapeutics (the supplier) is carefully managing supply of this product to ensure people in New Zealand can continue to access treatment. They have placed it on "scarce supply", which means they are manually allocating stock. This may cause short delays to filling orders.

  • Chemical: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a 
  • Presentation: Inj 180 mcg prefilled syringe
  • Brand name: Pegasys
  • Pharmacode: 2162806

Schedule listing for Pegasys(external link)

Information for people who use Pegasys

Please order Pegasys from your pharmacy early. There may be delays in the supply chain between wholesalers and pharmacies.

Please ask your pharmacy to contact their wholesaler if you need your Pegasys now. If you are not using your normal pharmacy, please let it know if it needs to get stock allocated.

There is enough stock to meet demand in New Zealand currently.

Information for pharmacies

This should be available for you to order through CDC or Propharma. Although, supply is tightly constrained, please check with your wholesaler in the first instance. 

If you are having difficulty accessing this, pharmacies can email Echo on customerservice@echotherapeutics.net

Please let them know:

  • The name of your pharmacy
  • The wholesaler and branch that you use
  • The number of patients you need to get stock for

This will allow the team at Echo to review and where possible prioritise supply for specific wholesalers.

Information for people who prescribe Pegasys

Supply of Pegasys may be very limited between June and October 2025. The President of the Haematological Society of Australia and New Zealand has issued a statement about actions prescribers can take to help manage this supply issue.

Anticipated shortage of Peginterferon alfa2a (PEGASYS)(external link)

Expected resolution

Echo Therapeutics are working to ensure this product remains available for everyone who needs it in New Zealand. Supply may be very reduced from June to October 2025.

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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