The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has made amendments to the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021. This is following the issuance of the Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Diltiazem) Instrument 2026, which will allow pharmacists to supply different strength of diltiazem hydrochloride capsules at an equivalent dose for the duration of the SSSI provided specified conditions are met.
Further information about the substitution is available on the PBS Medicine Shortages page.
Note: Diltiazem Sandoz CD 360 mg and Diltiazem Sandoz CD 180 mg were discontinued in 2024 and are therefore not included as either scarce or substitutable brands.