Four codeine products that experienced increased demand are now back in supply – although many other shortages continue
Shortages of Sanofi’s Panamax Co, Prodeine 24, Prodeine Xtra and Mersyndol Forte have now been resolved, according to the TGA’s latest update.
A Sanofi spokesperson told the AJP that the shortages were due to increased demand of the products following the February upschedule.
“We are continuing to see strong demand across our portfolio of nine Schedule 4 products which contain codeine,” a Sanofi spokesperson said.
“These changing stock levels coincide with a number of environmental factors including the withdrawal from sale of other codeine products by other suppliers.”
For example, GSK decided not to move its codeine-containing analgesics (Panafen Plus, Panadeine, Panadeine Rapid Soluble and Panadeine Extra) from S3 OTC to S4 prescription-only medicines following the February decision.
Other current shortages reported by the TGA include:
Medicine | Expected date of resolution | Sponsor |
Cefalexin Sandoz | 13 Aug 2018 | Sandoz Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 726 369 |
Adrenaline-Link 1:10,000 1mg/10mL adrenaline (epinephrine) acid tartrate injection BP pre filled syringe | 15 Aug 2018
| Link Medical Products Pty Ltd T/A Link Pharmaceuticals Phone: 1800 181 060 |
Enalapril/HCT Sandoz | 15 Sep 2018 | Sandoz Pty Ltd Phone: 1800726369 |
Neulactil | 1 Jul 2019 | Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 818 806 |
Neulactil | 1 Jul 2019 | Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 818 806 |
Gentech Molybdenum (99Mo) / technetium (99mTc) sterile generator for production of sodium pertechnetate (99mTc) injection multidose vial | 7 Aug 2018 | ANSTO t/a ANSTO Health Phone: 1800251572 |
Clomid | 30 Sep 2018
| Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 818 806 |
Levitra 10 | 31 Oct 2018
| Bayer Australia Ltd Phone: 1800 008 757 |
DBL Sodium Nitroprusside concentrated injection | 27 Sep 2018
| Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 675 229 |
Nimotop | 03 Aug 2018
| Bayer Australia Ltd Phone: 1800 008 757 |
Adalat 10 Nifedipine 10mg tablet blister pack | 31 Aug 2018
| Bayer Australia Ltd Phone: 1800 008 757 |
Sinemet 100/25 Levodopa/carbidopa 100mg/25mg tablet bottle | 31 Aug 2018 | Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 818 553 |
DBL Gentamicin 10mg/1mL (as sulfate) injection ampoule | 14 Aug 2018
| Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 675 229 |
DBL Metronidazole Intravenous Infusion Metronidazole 500mg/100mL solution for injection bag | 31 Aug 2018
| Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 675 229 |
Testogel | 31 Jul 2018
| Besins Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 0299047473 |
Climara 50 Estradiol 50 micrograms/day transdermal drug delivery system sachet | 31 Jul 2018
| Bayer Australia Ltd Phone: 1800 008 757 |
Neosynephrine 1% Phenylephrine hydrochloride 10mg/1mL injection USP ampoule | 27 Sep 2018
| Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9850 3333 |
Apo-Oxazepam Oxazepam 30mg tablet blister pack | 30 Nov 2018
| Arrow Pharma Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 917 769 |
Murelax Oxazepam 30mg tablet blister pack | 30 Nov 2018
| Arrow Pharma Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 917 769 |
Bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.5% (100mg/20mL) injection BP vial | 1 Feb 2019 | Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9850 3333 |
Diflucan Fluconazole 200mg/100mL injection vial | 30 Sep 2018
| Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 675 229 |
Tofranil 25 Imipramine hydrochloride 25mg tablet blister pack | 30 Sep 2018
| Amdipharm Mercury Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9431 6333 |
Tofranil 10 Imipramine hydrochloride 10mg tablet blister pack | 30 Sep 2018
| Amdipharm Mercury Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9431 6333 |
See more information at the Medicine Shortages Information Initiative here
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