6 May 2020 - Hospitals already grappling with a backlog of about 30,000 elective surgeries are being urged to conserve stock of a “vital” drug used in critical care and surgery.

The Government's drug-funding agency has issued a warning that supply of the drug propofol is “significantly constrained” locally and internationally.

A PHARMAC notice issued on Monday states that as New Zealand moves down alert levels, there will be an increase in elective surgery, increasing demand for propofol — a sedative used in critical care and in general surgery.

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