Permethrin cream and lotion: Supply issue resolved

Lyderm brand permethrin 5% cream is no longer available.
A-Scabies brand permethrin 5% lotion stock is available again.

Update 18 April

Stock of permethrin 5% lotion (A-Scabies | Pharmacode: 2332027) is released and with wholesalers now. 

Stock levels have returned to normal. Further supplies are being manufactured and will arrive before current supplies drop below 3 months' supply. 

Affected products

  • Chemical: Permethrin
  • Presentation: Cream
  • Brand: Lyderm
  • Supplier: API
  • Pharmacode: 479233
  • Chemical: Permethrin
  • Presentation: Lotion
  • Brand: A-Scabies
  • Supplier: AFT
  • Pharmacode: 2332027

Schedule listing for permethrin(external link)

About this issue

Lyderm brand permethrin 5% cream (Pharmacode 479233) was under contract with API. API has now left the market.

Stock of the API product has now been exhausted and we are continuing to investigate alternative presentations.

Transition away from API Consumer Brands

AFT's permethrin 5% lotion is now in stock, AFT advise they have about 6 months' stock on hand. More stock is being manufactured at the end of April and in May. We are reassured that there will be ample supply of AFT's permethrin lotion for the foreseeable future.  

Alternative product

Ivermectin (pharmacode 2087057) is also available by Special Authority. 

Schedule listing for ivermectin(external link)

Who to contact

If you have questions about the funding for this product, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

About Pharmac's role in supply management