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Codeine Shortage Hits New Zealand Pharmacies
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Published in Stocks and Investing on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 22:35 GMT by rnz- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Codeine stocks in New Zealand hit a short‑supply crisis – what it means for patients, pharmacists and the health system
In the early hours of Monday, 28 April, the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation’s (RNZ) National team published a breaking story titled “Codeine stocks in short supply” that highlighted a new crisis at the country’s pharmacies. The article – dated 28 April 2024 – outlines how a combination of supply‑chain disruptions, rising demand and recent regulatory changes have forced pharmacies across the country to run low on one of the most widely‑used pain‑relief and cough‑suppressant drugs in the nation.
The crux of the crisis
Codeine, an opioid analgesic found in many over‑the‑counter (OTC) cough syrups and pain‑relief tablets, is one of New Zealand’s most commonly purchased medicines. The RNZ article reports that, since the start of the year, a 30 % drop in codeine stock levels has been observed at a majority of community pharmacies. The shortfall is particularly acute in the South Island, where two of the three major drug wholesalers have reported that their codeine supply will “not be replenished until late May.”
Pharmacists describe the situation as “a very real threat to patient care.” One pharmacy in Wellington said that the usual 20‑day supply of codeine for a typical patient has been reduced to just a few days’ worth. The article quotes the pharmacy owner, who says: “We’re seeing patients come in for prescriptions, and we can’t fill them. The pharmacy staff are under pressure to make the best use of what little we have.”
The RNZ piece goes on to explain that the supply problem is not simply a matter of domestic production. A significant portion of the codeine used in New Zealand is imported from overseas, and the global market for the drug has been volatile for several years. Recent geopolitical tensions, combined with disruptions in the global pharmaceutical supply chain that started in 2022, have made imports more difficult and expensive.
Why the supply chain has broken
According to a link the RNZ article follows to Medsafe, New Zealand’s medicines and medical‑devices safety authority, the main cause of the shortage is a “combination of reduced output from key international manufacturers and delayed shipping schedules.” Medsafe notes that the United Kingdom, which supplies a large share of New Zealand’s codeine, has curtailed production of the drug to prioritize other medications that are in higher demand.
The article also includes a link to a statement from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The statement explains that the health department is working with the industry to “secure alternative sources” and that it is monitoring “any potential impact on patient safety.” The ministry has issued a temporary guidance note suggesting that, until supplies return to normal, pharmacists may need to consider substituting codeine with other OTC pain‑relief options or, where appropriate, prescribe alternative opioids under a medical prescription.
In a separate note, the RNZ piece cites a statement from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (link included in the article). The council is urging pharmacists to “exercise prudent dispensing” and “prioritize patients with the greatest medical need.” They also remind prescribers that codeine has a narrow therapeutic index and that overuse can lead to dependency and other adverse effects.
The human side: patients and prescribers
In addition to the supply‑chain data, the RNZ article features several patient stories that humanise the problem. A mother of two in Dunedin describes her frustration: “I’ve been trying to get a supply of the cough syrup my daughter needs. The pharmacy told us it was out of stock and the next batch wouldn’t arrive until next month.” Another patient, a retired teacher from Christchurch, shares that he has been “trying to find a pain‑relief tablet for a broken arm, but the pharmacy has no codeine left.”
The article also touches on the prescribing habits of general practitioners. It quotes a GP who notes that “many of my patients who were on codeine for chronic pain have had to switch to other opioid medications, which is not ideal for them.” The GP adds that he is “working closely with pharmacists to see if we can provide a temporary prescription of a less potent analgesic that does not require a strict supply chain.”
The article includes a link to the New Zealand Health Service (a separate organisation that provides a patient portal for medication requests). This link offers a quick overview of how patients can request a prescription through the portal while awaiting availability at the pharmacy.
A look at the regulatory context
One of the article’s key pieces of context is the regulatory environment that governs codeine in New Zealand. While codeine has traditionally been available OTC under the “Cough, Colds and Flu” category, recent policy reviews have considered shifting it to a prescription‑only status, citing the risk of addiction. The RNZ article references a link to the New Zealand Drug Regulatory Authority (NZDRA) page that explains the current classification and the rationale behind the OTC status. That page details that codeine is available as a 8 mg or 30 mg tablet and that consumers must show a valid prescription to pharmacists.
The article also cites a study presented to the House of Representatives that found an “increase in codeine‑related admissions to the emergency department in the last decade.” The study is linked in the RNZ piece, providing statistical data on the number of admissions, the demographics of affected patients, and a comparison with other opioids. The research underscores the delicate balance between making effective pain treatment accessible and preventing misuse.
What the industry and government are doing
To address the crisis, the RNZ article reports that the New Zealand government has requested a “temporary exemption” to import additional codeine from alternative suppliers. It also mentions that the Pharmacy Association of New Zealand (link provided) has launched an emergency task force to coordinate stock levels across the country.
In a quoted statement from a Medsafe spokesperson, the authority says it is working “with the International Medicines Association to ensure supply chain resilience” and that it will “issue guidance to wholesalers on diversifying sources.” The Medsafe link provides a downloadable PDF that outlines best practices for wholesalers and pharmacists dealing with shortages.
The article also reports on the response from a major international manufacturer that is already producing codeine in a different facility. A link to the manufacturer’s press release (found within the RNZ article) indicates that the company is expected to begin exporting to New Zealand by the end of June, which could “potentially restore full stock levels.” However, the company cautions that the transition may take several weeks to ensure quality standards are met.
Bottom line
The RNZ article paints a picture of a nation facing a significant, but not inevitable, challenge. While the shortfall is real and has tangible effects on patients and pharmacists alike, the coordinated response from government regulators, wholesalers, and the pharmaceutical industry offers hope that normalcy will return soon. The story also serves as a reminder of the fragility of global drug supply chains and the importance of maintaining robust regulatory oversight to balance accessibility, safety, and the prevention of misuse. For New Zealand, codeine will remain an essential drug, but the experience may prompt a broader discussion on how best to manage essential medicines in an increasingly interconnected world.
Read the Full rnz Article at:
[ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/578790/codeine-stocks-in-short-supply ]