Supply Issue Notice from Pharmac

Kia ora New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology,

As you may be aware, there is a long-term supply issue affecting the Dipentum brand of olsalazine (250 mg capsules and 500 mg tablets). Atnahs Olsalazine is being supplied under section 29 as an alternative to both Dipentum 250 mg capsule and Dipentum 500 mg tablet.

Supply update: olsalazine

We’re emailing to inform you of a temporary supply issue affecting Atnahs Olsalazine, which is out of stock with the supplier from February until April 2024. This supply issue is due to manufacturing delays. We understand there is stock within the supply chain, but that this may not be sufficient to last until resupply in April.

Once remaining stock in the supply chain has been dispensed, all presentations of olsalazine will be is out of stock until April 2024.

Clinical advice has indicated that there are funded alternatives available, most likely mesalazine.

• Rectal and Colonic Anti-inflammatories in the Schedule
• Aminosalicylates in the New Zealand Formulary

We will provide updates as available on the Pharmac website via the Olsalazine 250 mg capsule and 500 mg tablet medicine notice.

If you have any questions about this supply issue, contact Clinect at info@clinect.com.au.

Supply issue: mesalazine

The supplier has advised us of a supply issue affecting mesalazine tab 800 mg (Asacol). These tablets are likely to be out of stock between late February and July 2024.

There is sufficient stock of the 400 mg tablets to support people taking the 800 mg strength tablet, but this stock will not be sufficient to also support people affected by the olsalazine supply issue.

We are working with the supplier to try to source an alternative brand of 400 mg or 800 mg mesalazine tablets and will provide an update about this as soon as possible.

We will provide updates as available on the Pharmac website via the Mesalazine 800 mg tablets medicine notice.

Additional Information

We wanted to let you know there may be increased contact to gastroenterology teams from primary care seeking advice on alternative treatments. You might want to draw attention to this issue with your members through your regular communication channels.

We know changing treatments can sometimes be difficult for people. We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.