Proposal to discontinue efavirenz tablets

Medicines Consultation Closes 04 Mar

What we’re proposing

We’re asking for feedback on a proposal to remove efavirenz 600mg tablets (branded as Efavirenz Milpharm) from the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 December 2025. 

We expect that supply of Efavirenz Milpharm will be exhausted by June 2025. We are proposing to delist the currently funded brand of efavirenz from 1 December 2025 to ensure that all stock has been exhausted prior to its delisting from the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Pharmac is directly contacting prescribers and pharmacies that have prescribed or dispensed efavirenz in the past year to ensure minimal impact on patients as they transition to a different medication for their condition.

We want to hear your feedback about our proposal, particularly if there are any significant impacts that you anticipate with the delisting of efavirenz or the support that you consider would be needed.

Consultation closes at 5pm on 4 March 2025. Feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz

Why we’re proposing this?

Efavirenz is a medicine used in combination with other antiretrovirals to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

In 2021, Pharmac was notified of the global discontinuation of Stocrin (efavirenz) 200 mg and 600 mg strength tablets. Pharmac has since funded an alternative for the 600 mg strength (Efavirenz Milpharm) that is not Medsafe approved. This was done to ensure people could continue to access their medicine while alternative options were considered.

View the Schedule listing for efavirenz 600mg (Efavirenz Milpharm)(external link)

Supply of the previously funded, Medsafe approved Stocrin brand of efavirenz 200 mg and 600 mg tablets has since been exhausted. The Stocrin brand was delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule on 1 December 2024. 

We information about the supply issue has been available on our website: Efavirenz (Stocrin) 200 mg and 600 mg tablets

We are proposing to delist efavirenz (Efavirenz Milpharm 600 mg) from the Pharmaceutical Schedule after all stock of it has been exhausted. This is because we have been unable to secure ongoing supply of a Medsafe approved brand of efavirenz tablets and our clinical advisors have told us that other funded antiretroviral medicines would meet the needs of people currently receiving this medicine.

More information about unapproved medicines: Use of unapproved medicines and unapproved use of medicines | Medsafe(external link)

What would the effect be?

Anyone still using efavirenz would need to change to an alternative funded antiretroviral medicine prior to supply running out in June 2025.  

From 1 December 2025, efavirenz Milpharm 600 mg would be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule. The Milpharm brand as the only brand of efavirenz still listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule as the previously funded Stocrin brand has already been delisted.

We understand that approximately 20 people in New Zealand are still using efavirenz Milpharm to treat their HIV. These people would need to change to another funded combination of HIV medicines. 

Our clinical advisors have told us that other funded antiretroviral medicines would meet the needs of people living with HIV currently taking efavirenz. We encourage you to get in touch with your prescriber to understand what your treatment options are.

Detail of alternative antiretroviral medicines funded by Pharmac: Schedule listings for funded antiretrovirals(external link)

Who we think will be interested

  • People living with HIV, their whānau, family, partners, friends and carers. 
  • Healthcare professionals involved in the care of people with HIV
  • Groups who support and advocate for people with HIV; including but not limited to Body Positive, the Burnett Foundation, Positive Women, Toitu te ao, Te Taenga Mai.
  • Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora hospitals and health services. 
  • Hospital and community pharmacies
  • Pharmaceutical suppliers and wholesalers

To provide feedback

We want to hear your feedback about our proposal particularly if there are any significant impacts that you anticipate with the delisting of this product or support that you consider would need to be provided.

Consultation closes at 5pm on 4 March 2025. Feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz

All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision on this proposal.

Your feedback may be shared 

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Please be aware that we may need to share your feedback, including your identity, in response to an OIA request. This applies to anyone providing feedback, whether they are providing feedback themselves or for an organisation, in a personal or professional capacity.

We can only keep feedback confidential as allowed under the OIA and other related laws. If you want any part of your feedback treated as confidential, you need to tell us. Please let us know if you want to keep part of your feedback confidential, and why. Is it commercially sensitive, confidential or proprietary, or personal information? Clearly state this and tell us which parts of your feedback you want to keep confidential for these reasons. We will consider your request under our OIA requirements.