Pfizer: update on manufacturing and supply of some medicines
What we're doing
Pfizer has sold the Perth manufacturing plant to another company, called Bridgewest Group. The sale was closed on 4 April 2023. The plant makes sterile injectable medicines. Some of these are supplied to the New Zealand market.
Bridgewest Group will continue to make a number of products for Pfizer at the plant. Bridgewest 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).
Affected products
| Pharmacode | Description | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 697745 | Chlorhexidine 0.015% & Cetrimide 0.15% irrigation solution, 30x30ml Steritube | Juno supply from 24 April 2023 Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 2083396 | Chlorhexidine 0.1% irrigation solution, 30x30ml Steritube | Juno supply from 24 April 2023 |
| 2359537 | Cytarabine 100mg/mL, 20mL vial | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 786365 | Cytarabine 20mg/mL, 5mL vial | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 2325500 | Daunorubicin 2mg/mL, 10mL vial | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 771740 | Gentamicin 40mg/mL, 2mL ampoule | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 2339897 | Heparin Sodium 1,000 IU/mL, 5mL ampoule | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 2339889 | Heparin Sodium 5,000 IU/mL, 5mL ampoule | Multichem principle supply status (June 2023 Tender Announcement) |
| 2339919 | Heparinised Saline 10 IU/mL, 5mL ampoule | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 736341 | Hydrogen Peroxide 3% topical solution, 30x30ml Steritube | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 619841 | Lignocaine 2% with Chlorhexidine 0.05% Gel, 10ml Urethral Syringes | Discontinued and will be delisted from the Schedule November 2023 |
| 771759 | Metoclopramide 5mg/mL, 2mL ampoule | Baxter holds Principal Supply Status from December 2022. |
| 2263068 | Midazolam 5mg/1mL, 3mL ampoule | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 2263076 | Midazolam 5mg/5mL, 5ml ampoule | Pfizer continuing to supply |
| 2556286 | Povidone-Iodine 10% in 70% Alcohol Solution, 100ml Bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 2556278 | Povidone-Iodine 5% aqueous solution, 100ml bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 754315 | RA-MORPH 10mg/mL, 200ml bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP (Product is expiring Nov 23) |
| 754285 | RA-MORPH 1mg/mL, 200ml bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 754293 | RA-MORPH 2mg/mL, 200ml bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 754307 | RA-MORPH 5mg/mL, 200ml bottle | Awaiting outcome of RFP |
| 994839 | Sodium Chloride 0.9% irrigation solution, 30ml Steritube |
Pfizer brand not listed on Schedule, InterPharma brand is available on the HML(external link) |
| 691968 | Sodium Chloride 0.9%, 10mL ampoule |
Pfizer brand not listed on Schedule, Fresenius Kabi is listed in the Schedule and HML(external link) |
| 2511932 | Water for Injection, 10mL ampoule | Awarded to Multichem Sole supply from September 2023 (July 2022 Tender Announcement) |
Who to contact
If you have questions about these changes, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz