Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ /Dom Thomas
Stocks of the prescription-only painkiller codeine are in short supply due to shipping delays.
Pharmac today confirmed the supply issue affected all three strengths of the subsidised Noumed brand codeine.
The next shipment was expected to arrive in the mid-November but it could take another one to two weeks for products to reach pharmacies around the country.
The drug-funding agency said there was currently no stock of 30mg tablets, and low stocks of both 15mg and 60mg.
Additional stock ‘overlabelled’
Meanwhile, some other supplies of 15mg and 30mg codeine tablets are being dispatched to wholesalers this week after being re-labelled with a new expiry date.
Previously, codeine tablets in New Zealand had a 24-month shelf-life from the date of manufacture – but this was changed to 36 months in July.
“The supplier held stock of codeine phosphate tablets that was labelled with a 24-month expiry date,” Pharmac said.
“Medsafe fast-tracked an approval to over-label this stock with the 36-month shelf-life to ensure people can still access this medicine.”
This over-labelled stock will start being distributed to wholesalers by the end of this week.
“We have prepared a flier to reassure people that the over-labelled product is safe and effective.”
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
