Reformulated thyroid drug Eltroxin, which has caused strong reactions since June among many New Zealanders previously fine with the old version, is about to be supplemented by two alternatives.

Minister of Health David Cunliffe talked up the “rapid” action by Pharmac and Medsafe in getting the substitutes on the market by November 1.

"I am aware of the effort that has gone into getting these drugs up and running for New Zealanders who are experiencing a bad reaction to the new formula Eltroxin.

Reformulated thyroid drug Eltroxin, which has caused strong reactions since June among many New Zealanders previously fine with the old version, is about to be supplemented by two alternatives.

Minister of Health David Cunliffe talked up the “rapid” action by Pharmac and Medsafe in getting the substitutes on the market by November 1.

"I am aware of the effort that has gone into getting these drugs up and running for New Zealanders who are experiencing a bad reaction to the new formula Eltroxin.

The head of medical affairs at GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand, Andrew Hvizdos, has responded to questions from NBR regarding reported severe reactions to a reformulated version of a potentially lifesaving drug they produce - Eltroxin.

Adverse reactions to the reformulated thyroid drug Eltroxin have escalated sharply in the last three months, from around 50 to more than 700 people.

National Party associate health spokesperson Dr Jackie Blue says since patients started taking the new formulation earlier this year problems started to surface.

“What started as a trickle of bad reactions to Eltroxin is now an avalanche.”