Kia ora
Earlier this week Pharmac released communications regarding the supply disruption affecting oral contraceptives containing norethisterone.
This is an update to that notification:
The alternative brand for Noriday 28: Norethindrone Tablets USP, as well as the alternative brand for Brevinor-1: Alyacen 1/35, have now both received provisional consent from Medsafe. This means that both can once again be prescribed by any relevant prescriber. The Pharmaceutical Schedule will be updated to reflect this change on 1 November and 1 December, respectively.
Note: The alternative brands for Noriday 28 and Brevinor-1, sourced from the US, are generically labelled as norethindrone. Please note that norethindrone is the US name of norethisterone.
Supply Issue
Noriday 28 (norethisterone 350 mcg)
Pharmacode: 398332
Alternative funded brand
Norethindrone Tablets USP
Pharmacode: 2685051
Supply issue timeline
Forecasted outage from end of September 2024 to end of December 2024 (3 months)
Supply Issue
Brevinor-1 (ethinyloestradiol 35 mcg with norethisterone 1 mg and 7 inert tablets)
Pharmacode: 303542
Alternative funded brand:
Alyacen 1/35
Pharmacode: 2688441
Supply issue timeline
Forecasted outage from end of September 2024 to end of December 2024 (3 months)
Additional Resources
Pharmac has developed webpages featuring images of the alternative brands. It is important to communicate the differences between the brands to your patients.
Additionally, patient information leaflets regarding the supply disruption have been created for download on the webpage for distribution to patients.
Pharmac notice page:
Brevinor 1/28 (Ethinyloestradiol with norethisterone): Supply issue
Noriday 28 (Norethisterone): Supply issue
Patient leaflet:
Brevinor 1/28 (Ethinyloestradiol with norethisterone): supply issue leaflet
Noriday 28 (Norethisterone): supply issue leaflet
Ng? mihi,
Implementation Team
Implementation Team
Pharmac | Te P?taka Whaioranga | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington
P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz