Pharmac said to ensure long-term supply, it will run a commercial process for condoms and other sexual health products for men and women in April 2018.

Medical professionals are being forced to ration prescriptions of Durex condoms as increased demand is causing a global shortage.

The shortage only affects Durex Confidence 56mm condoms and Gold Knight Larger, which are available by prescription subsidised by Pharmac - the Government's drug-buying agency.

Pharmac's deputy medical director Bryan Betty said in a letter the Durex condoms would temporarily no longer be supplied to New Zealand, but five other types of condoms, in varying sizes, remain available.

"To meet the increased demand they are manufacturing extra product which is expected to arrive in May. They are also manufacturing additional quantities of Shield Blue (53 mm)," he wrote.

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Until then, pharmacies have been instructed not to specify a condom brand, and to only distribute 72 condoms in six boxes of 12, rather than the usual 144 in 12 boxes.

Some people may have a preference for a particular brand on condom and may be uneasy about changing, Betty wrote.

"Patients can be assured that all the brands of funded condoms are effective and safe to use and that the differences in the condoms themselves are minor.

"We understand that this may cause inconvenience for some people."

Durex spokeswoman Brenda Saunders said Durex Extra Safe 56mm condoms (thickness 0.075mm), were still available under Pharmac.

"New stocks of Durex Extra Safe condoms are expected to arrive in New Zealand at the end of April to cater for increased demand following lower supply of Durex Confidence," she said in a statement.

"The short-term supply issues only affect Durex Confidence, other Durex products are still available over-the-counter in supermarkets and pharmacies. Durex has not withdrawn any of its listings from the New Zealand market.

"Durex sincerely regrets any inconvenience to its consumers and pharmacies. Durex takes its social responsibility very seriously and is making every effort to expedite supply of Durex Confidence as soon as possible."

The paucity of our prophylactic supply closely follows a shortage of women's oral contraceptive, which forced a restriction on prescriptions in December to make supplies last.

Pharmac said to ensure long-term supply, it would run a commercial process for condoms and other sexual health products for men and women in April.