Ipratropium bromide (Univent) Aqueous nasal spray

Supply issue Active

Rex Medical, the supplier, advises that the Univent aqueous nasal spray (2372908) is out of stock.

2 October 2024 Update: Resupply December 2024

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 in December 2024. 

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

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 in December 2024. 

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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