Catherine D'Souza: Analgesic Advisory Committee on Pharmac running out of a crucial pain relief drug

Pharmac is about to run out of a crucial pain relief drug.

The drug-buying agency was warned two years ago the Pfizer factory producing one-milligram liquid morphine is closing.

But it hasn't found a replacement before New Zealand's supplies run out next month.

Analgesic Advisory Committee member Catherine D'Souza says Pfizer promised to help find alternatives, but didn't.

"Which is really disappointing. So then Pharmac looks at opening a competitive process asking for companies to apply to provide New Zealand with this product, but there were no bids at all."

A Pfizer spokesperson issued the following statement:

"The transfer of sponsorship of RA-Morph was Friday 22 September and supply was available from Bridgewest on Monday 9 October. Pfizer and Bridgewest worked cooperatively to ensure continuity of supply to customers in New Zealand was maintained in the interim. 

Pfizer has been in regular communication with Pharmac on medicines supplied from the Perth site. Following the decision to exit the Perth site (the site was divested in April 2023 and purchased by Bridgewest Group - the sale having closed on 4 April 2023), it was also decided to discontinue the manufacturing of RA-Morph and its supply in New Zealand.     

In the interest of patients, and to ensure that the market had lead-time to seek alternative means of supply, a discontinuation notice was given to Pharmac with two years’ notice in September 2021." 

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