Pharmac is facing mounting pressure from frontline pharmacists who say New Zealanders are being left in the dark as the Iran war disrupts global medicine supply chains. The first confirmed casualty: isosorbide mononitrate — a lifeline drug for angina patients — now officially delayed, with pharmacies warning they have no clear guidance to reassure increasingly anxious patients. Industry leaders say the silence from Wellington is “unacceptable” as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown begins to bite.
Isosorbide mononitrate — a widely used angina medication — is the first drug Pharmac has formally listed as facing shipping delays because of the conflict. Independent Community Pharmacy Group spokesperson Clive Cannons said the shortage was “very serious” given how many New Zealanders rely on the drug daily.
“Isosorbide opens up the arteries so more oxygen gets to the heart muscle. If you have angina, that’s an essential medicine for stopping attacks,” Cannons said. He added that pharmacists wrote to Health New Zealand when the Strait of Hormuz closed but “received no response”.
Cannons said pharmacies had been left without clear guidance. “There hasn’t been any communication coming directly to pharmacy. What I would’ve hoped to see from Pharmac is a plan with different scenarios — like the government’s fuel plan — so we can reassure patients, because they are beginning to ask.”
Pharmac’s acting director of pharmaceuticals Claire Pouwels said the Ministry of Health was leading the health sector’s response as part of the all‑of‑government approach. She said Pharmac was working closely with Health NZ, suppliers and distributors “to identify emerging risks early and ensure consistency of supply”.
Pouwels said Pharmac routinely manages around 100 medicine and device supply issues each month. When a shortage emerges, the agency creates a management plan assessing duration, alternative funded medicines, available stock, and whether sourcing from another supplier is possible.
She said the most up‑to‑date information on conflict‑related disruptions is available on Pharmac’s website, where supply notices are updated and filtered by issues linked to the Middle East conflict. Relevant clinicians, suppliers, prescribers and advocacy groups are also notified.
Pharmac remains “receptive to feedback” on the information it provides, Pouwels said.
