PHARMAC Welcomes Fresh Supply Of Adrenaline For NZ

PHARMAC Welcomes Fresh Supply Of Adrenaline For NZ

Government drug funding agency PHARMAC is pleased that pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has secured a supply of adrenaline for New Zealanders.

PHARMAC’s deputy medical director Dr Dilky Rasiah says the efforts of AstraZeneca provide certainty for NZ patients and clinicians who require adrenaline to treat severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest.

Stocks of adrenaline had run low because of an international manufacturing problem, and had been supplemented by epinephrine, sourced from the United States. Epinephrine was being used under special approval from the government medicines regulator, Medsafe.

Dr Rasiah says AstraZeneca had previously supplied its product, and has now managed to source stock from Australia which is also approved for use in NZ.

The stock, which will be delivered from 26 January, will resolve the current supply issue, says Dr Rasiah.

“The stock levels that AstraZeneca has secured ought to be sufficient for about 6-8 months,” Dr Rasiah says. “We are continuing to work with Mayne and AstraZeneca about longer-term solutions.”

PHARMAC has issued notice to pharmacists and clinicians about the new stock and timelines for delivery.

ENDS

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