Pharmacists run out of patches

Nationwide supply problems with high strength nicotine patches has caused a headache for some Dunedin pharmacies.

Dunedin City Pharmacy duty pharmacist Patti Napier said the pharmacy ran out of the highest strength patch on Monday, and the next delivery was about a month away.

Patches came in three strengths and it was possible to start quitters on the lower strength, but not ideal, she said.

Pharmac told the Otago Daily Times demand for patches was up because of the increase in the price of tobacco and the banning of smoking in prisons.

The past 18 months had seen increased demand in New Zealand and Australia.

There was stock available and Pharmac was working with suppliers and wholesalers to resolve "distribution issues".

The problem only affected the highest strength patches.

Larson's Pharmacy owner Paul Larson said the pharmacy ran out early this week and expected another consignment "sometime" next week.

It made little sense to start heavy smokers on the lesser strength patch because they still got cravings, Mr Larson said.

The shortage meant some people might decide it was too much trouble and go back to smoking.

Mr Larson pointed out it was in no way unusual to run out of a product, and pharmacists often faced stock shortages.

Mornington Pharmacy's Keith Newton said the pharmacy had been "lucky" and was stocked, and had seen plenty of demand from outside its catchment area.

Unichem Gardens Pharmacy manager Lorealle Lam said she was "very happy" to receive a consignment of high strength patches yesterday morning, a month after running out.

Many customers had complained about the shortage, she said.

Quitters had wanted to get started on their new regime and were disappointed by the lack of stock, she said.

Gardens Pharmacy owner, Chin Loh, said the shortage had been an issue at all four of his Dunedin pharmacies.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz