Pharmacies continue to restrict the number of condoms they dispense to patients

Chemists are continuing to restrict the number of condoms they are dispensing under prescription, as supply issues with a popular contraceptive pill worsen.

The Government's drug-buying agency, Pharmac, says a limit of 72 condoms every 90 days remained in place just months after a global shortage was announced.

The restriction coincides with confirmation on Wednesday combined oral contraceptive Levlen ED - used by 100,000 Kiwi women each year - will be formally rationed from Friday, February 1.

HANNAH MARTIN/STUFF Pharmac will introduce formal restrictions on the contraceptive pill Levlen ED, meaning women will only be able to get the medicine in one-month lots from Thursday due to a supply issue.

Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt said the agency was working with Levlen supplier Bayer New Zealand to manage "a supply issue".

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"The supplier has some stock but there is a risk of a shortage prior to re-supply in late March.

"While current dispensing restrictions limit how often a person can collect their Levlen ED prescription, this should not stop patients from accessing their medicine or taking it as directed.

"We thank pharmacies and wholesalers for their assistance in helping to manage this stock issue and apologise for any inconvenience," Fitt explained.

Concerns about the availability of Levlen in New Zealand were raised earlier this month.

Recently, pharmacies had been asked to dispense the pill in one-month courses, rather than the three-month courses usually given out.

But on Friday that request will become mandatory as officials step up efforts to maintain sufficient supply until the medication was restocked in late March.

STUFF There was a supply issue with Durex condoms last year, however a dispensing limit remains in place. (File photo)

Levlen was recently introduced into the New Zealand market as a fully-funded replacement for Ava 30.In December 2017, stock of both contraceptive pills ran out as Pharmac made the transition.

Countdown Supermarket says condom supplies in its stores were unaffected by the pharmacy rationing.

The pausity of Durex condoms became an issue on at least two occasions last year.

GETTY Pharmac has asked pharmacists to restrict the number of condoms being dispensed under prescription to a maximum of 72 over a 90-day period. (File photo)

In April, medical professionals were asked to ration prescriptions of Durex condoms for men with large penises, as increased demand contributed to a global shortage.

Durex Confidence 56mm condoms and Gold Knight Larger were the Pharmac-funded brands affected by dwindling supply.

At the time, Pharmac said the Durex condoms would be temporarily unavailable in New Zealand, but the brand's five other varieties in differing sizes were available.

In July, a disagreement between the brand's owner and its Indian partner cut up to 60 per cent of supply.

In an Official Information Act response released to Stuff, Pharmac revealed a number of other medications were also subject to dispensing restrictions.

While formal restrictions on dispensing ferrous sulphate - a medication used to treat iron deficiency anaemia - were yet to be introduced, pharmacists have been asked to limit the long-acting 325mg tablet to monthly dispensing.

Thursday will also see a formal restriction come into effect for diabetes treatment Acarbose (Glucobay) which will also be subject to monthly dispensing.

Pharmac said changes in international demand for medicines, manufacturing shortages, natural disasters or changes in regulatory rules in other countries could have flow-on effects for supply in New Zealand.