Pfizer: update on manufacturing and supply of some medicines

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What we're doing

Pfizer has sold the Perth manufacturing plant to another company, called Lumacina New Zealand in New Zealand. The sale was closed on 4 April 2023. The plant makes sterile injectable medicines. Some of these are supplied to the New Zealand market.

Lumacina New Zealand will continue to make a number of products for Pfizer at the plant. Lumacina New Zealand has bought the right to make some products itself.   

We have been working to find a suitable resolution for each affected product. We are working closely with suppliers to ensure people can keep accessing these products. 

We have used our tender process to find new suppliers and we have included Pfizer products in a specific Request for Proposals (RFP)

Products that Pfizer will continue to supply

Pharmacode Description Comment
2359537 Cytarabine 100 mg/ml, 20 ml vial Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for cytarabine(external link)
786365 Cytarabine 20 mg/ml, 5ml vial Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for cytarabine(external link)
2325500 Daunorubicin 2 mg/ml, 10 m vial  Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for daunorubicin(external link)
2339897 Heparin sodium 1000 iu per ml, 5 ml ampoule Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for heparin sodium(external link)
2339919 Heparinised saline 10 iu per ml, 5 ml ampoule Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for heparinised saline(external link)
771740 Gentamicin 40 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for gentamicin(external link)
2263068 Midazolam 5 mg per ml, 3 ml plastic ampoule  Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for midazolam(external link)
2263076 Midazolam 1 mg per ml, 5 ml ampoule Pfizer continues to supply Schedule listing for midazolam(external link)

Products with a resolution

Pharmacode Description Comment
2339889 Heparin sodium 5000 iu per ml, 5 ml ampoule Heparin Sodium Panpharma (supplied by Multichem) listed in the HML (external link)
736341 Hydrogen peroxide 3% topical solution, 30 x 30 ml steritube Listed "Any brand" in the HML.
619841 Lignocaine 2% with Chlorhexidine 0.05%  Gel, 10ml Urethral Syringes Discontinued and delisted from the Schedule November 2023
771759 Metoclopramide 5 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule Baxter brand listed in the HML(external link)
2556286 Povidone-Iodine 10% in 70% Alcohol Solution, 100ml Bottle Listed "Any Brand" in the HML
994839 Sodium chloride 0.9% irrigation solution, 30 ml Steritube InterPharma brand is available on the HML(external link)
691968 Sodium chloride 0.9%, 10 ml ampoule Fresenius Kabi brand listed in the HML(external link)
2511932 Water for injection, 10 ml ampoule Multichem brand listed in the HML(external link)
2556278 Povidone-Iodine 5% aqueous solution,  100ml bottle Awaiting outcome of RFP
754315 RA-MORPH 10mg/mL, 200ml bottle Medicine notice with details of morphine supply issue
754285 RA-MORPH 1mg/mL, 200ml bottle Medicine notice with details of morphine supply issue
754293 RA-MORPH 2mg/mL, 200ml bottle Medicine notice with details of morphine supply issue
754307 RA-MORPH 5mg/mL, 200ml bottle Medicine notice with details of morphine supply issue

Who to contact

If you have questions about these changes, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz