Consumer Guide to Diabetes Products

Pen needles

New Zealand has access to three brands of subsidised pen needles, ABM, B-D Micro-Fine and NovoFine®. Either brand of needle can be used with any of the Insulin Pens available in New Zealand

Your doctor can obtain subsidy for 100 pen needles on any one prescription; provided either that insulin is prescribed on the same prescription or the prescription is endorsed as being for a patient using insulin. Your doctor can if he/she thinks it is necessary write more than one prescription. Or needles in excess of the subsidy can be purchased through a pharmacy, from Diabetes Supplies Limited or from some Diabetes Societies.

B-D Micro-Fine needles are available in packs of 30 and 100; ABM and NovoFine® needles are marketed in packs of 100. Diabetes Supplies Limited repacks these needles and can supply in units of 25.

All needles have a screw fitting to attach them to the insulin cartridge once it is in the pen. Needles are available in differing lengths (5 mm to 12.7 mm) and different gauges or thicknesses ranging from 29 gauge to 31 gauge. (The higher the number, the thinner the needle)

Marketing NameManufacturerAvailable sizesPresentationAvailability
ABM 29 gauge 12.7mPacks of 100Fully subsidised to a maximum of 100 needles per prescription
31 gauge 6mm
31 gauge 8mm
B-D Micro-Fine1 Becton Dickinson 31 gauge 5mmPicture of B-D Micro-Fine pen needles box Packs of 30 and 100 Fully subsidised to a maximum of 100 needles per prescription
31 gauge 8mmPicture of B-D Micro-Fine pen needle
29 gauge 12.7mmPicture of B-D Micro-Fine pen needles box
NovoFine Novo Nordisk 31 gauge 6mmPicture of NovoFine pen needle

Packs of 100

Diabetes Supplies Limited repacks these needles and can supply in units of 25

 Fully subsidised to a maximum of 100 needles per prescription, but only for children under 12 years of age
31 gauge 8mmPicture of NovoFine pen needle box Not subsidised but available for retail purchase through pharmacy, Diabetes Supplies Limited or some Diabetes Societies
31 gauge 12mmPicture of NovoFine pen needles box Not subsidised but available for retail purchase through pharmacy, Diabtetes Supplies Limited or some Diabetes Societies

View information about other delivery devices:

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  1. For details on BD syringes and needles available in NZ contact Becton Dickinson Toll Free 0800 572 468. ↩

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