Ipratropium bromide (Univent) Aqueous nasal spray
Rex Medical, the supplier, advises that the Univent aqueous nasal spray (2372908) is out of stock.
20 November 2024 Update: Resupply December 2024 / January 2025
The supplier has had to change manufacturing plant. This requires new batches of Univent nasal spray to be made and validated by laboratories as meeting standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. This data will then be supplied to Medsafe for review. Rex Medical aims to have Medsafe approval and begin supplying product again by early 2025.
Affected product
- Chemical: Ipratropium bromide
- Presentation: Aqueous nasal spray, 0.03%
- Brand: Univent
- Pharmacode: 2372908
- Subsidy: $5.23
- Measure / Qty: per 15 ml OP
Schedule listing for ipratropium bromide(external link)
Alternative product
There is a funded alternative available. We have advice from the supplier that there is enough stock for people to move to this treatment.
Budesonide
- Brand: Steroclear
- Presentation: Metered aqueous nasal spray, 50 mcg per dose
- Pharmacode: 2541149
- Subsidy: $2.54
- Measure/Qty: per 200 dose OP
- Schedule listing for Steroclear(external link)
People will need a new prescription
As this alternative is a different medicine, patients will require a new prescription to access. Pharmac understands this will create challenges for some patients and apologises for the inconvenience caused.
Expected resupply
The supplier of Univent advises that new stock is expected by early 2025
Who to contact
If you have questions about the alternatives or anything else 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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