The country is facing a shortage of oral contraceptive. (file photo)

The country is facing a shortage of oral contraceptive and women are being given restricted prescriptions to make supplies last.

Several pharmacists were concerned they would have to start turning women away, RNZ reported.

Pharmac Director of Operations Sarah Fitt said the Ava 30ED and Levlen 30ED brands of the oral contraceptive were affected by the shortage.

The issue was a result of a transition from one supplier to another. It occurred as Levlen 30ED was being replace the Ava brand as a result of the Pharmac tender process.

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The old supplier ran out of stock before the new supplier was due to begin providing the product, Fitt said.

Pharmac had been working with the supplier, Bayer, and pharmacies to manage the shortage, she said.

New stock of Levlen 30 ED had arrived in New Zealand and would be available to all pharmacies from Monday, December 4.

"Pharmac would like to thank pharmacies and wholesalers for their assistance in managing this supply issue and minimising [disruption] for consumers.

Oral contraceptive use among New Zealand women is high.

A study published in 2016 found 89 per cent of women aged 35 - 69 had used oral contraceptives at some stage.

Condom use was the next most common form of contraceptive, at 54 per cent.