Phenobarbitone: Supply issue resolved

A small amount of the Max Health phenobarbitone sodium injection 200 mg per ml, 1 ml amp is now available. Please continue to allocate this stock for patients where there are no funded alternatives.

We are advised there are listed alternative medicines to control of status epilepticus for most patients.

Check the HML for other nervous system agents(external link)

Check the Pharmaceutical Schedule for other nervous system agents(external link)

Small amounts of phenobarbitone sourced

A small amount of the Max Health phenobarbitone sodium inj 200 mg per ml, 1 ml amp  arrived in New Zealand in late January 2021.

In addition, an injection 130 mg per ml, 1 ml vial presentation of phenobarbitone sodium has been listed in Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2021. CDC Pharmaceuticals Ltd has sourced 10 packs of a 130mg per ml, 1 ml vial presentation of phenobarbitone sodium from Cameron Pharmaceuticals (USA) to help supply. This stock is expected to arrive in New Zealand in late January 2021.

Important notes:

• The 130 mg per ml, 1 ml vial presentation will be listed 'any brand' in Section H of the Schedule (HML) from 1 February 2021.
• The Cameron phenobarbital sodium injection is a different strength and presentation to the currently listed 200 mg per ml, 1 ml amp.
• Phenobarbital is the American brand name for phenobarbitone. The Cameron product will be labelled phenobarbital sodium injection. 

Information for prescribers

We have asked pharmacies to allocate stock of phenobarbitone sodium injections to patients where there are no funded alternatives. 

Prescribers will need to:

• Only start new patients on phenobarbitone sodium injections, where there are no funded alternatives.
• Please use clinical judgement to transition any existing patients to funded alternatives.

Information for pharmacists

Allocate stock of phenobarbitone sodium injections to patients where there are no funded alternatives.

The supplier, Max Health, has advised PHARMAC that due to global supply issues for phenobarbitone sodium injection the New Zealand stock levels are low due to manufacturing issues. It is unknown when this product will be fully restocked. 

Please allocate any existing stock you hold for neonatal patients to treat seizure control in post-birth asphyxia, etc. Prioritisation of phenobarbitone to one patient group is not a situation we want to be in.

We are advised there are listed alternative medicines to control of status epilepticus for other patients.

Check the HML for other nervous system agents(external link)

Check the Pharmaceutical Schedule for other nervous system agents(external link)

Small amounts of phenobarbitone sourced

Max Health expects a small amount of additional stock of the inj 200 mg per ml, 1 ml amp to arrive late January 2021.

A second presentation will be funded from 1 Februrary 2021. CDC Pharmaceuticals Ltd has sourced 10 packs of phenobarbital sodium injection Inj 130 mg per ml, 1 ml vial from Cameron Pharmaceuticals (USA) to help supply. 

Important notes:

• The 130 mg per ml, 1 ml vial presentation will be listed 'any brand' in Section H of the Schedule (HML) from 1 February 2021.
• The Cameron phenobarbital sodium injection is a different strength and presentation compared to the currently listed 200 mg per ml, 1 ml amp.
• Phenobarbital is the American name for phenobarbitone. The Cameron product will be labelled phenobarbital. 

Information for prescribers

We have asked pharmacies to allocate existing stock of phenobarbitone sodium injections for neonatal seizure control in post birth asphyxia etc. 

Neonatal paediatric specialists have expressed considerable concerns about any shortage of phenobarbitone injections. We understand that there are largely no clinical alternative medicines for neonatal patients.

Prescribers will need to:

• Start no new patients on phenobarbitone sodium injections, except for neonate, if stock is available.
• Use clinical judgement to transition any existing patients to funded alternatives.

Information for pharmacists

Allocate your existing stock of phenobarbitone sodium injections for neonatal seizure control in post-birth asphyxia etc. There are largely no clinical alternative medicines in this setting.