Availability of Orencia®

Further to DrugAlert Volume 929, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Bristol-Myers Squibb is experiencing a supply interruption for Orencia^® as follows:

Orencia^® ClickJect^®
Abatacept 125mg
ARTG 236039 

Orencia^® Prefilled Syringe
Abatacept 125mg
ARTG 206764

Normal supplies of Orencia^® ClickJect^® are expected to return by end-August 2024, and Orencia^® prefilled syringes are expected to return by end-September 2024.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) advises that some patients may need to be switched to other therapies. To conserve Orencia^® for patients who cannot switch to an alternative treatment, Bristol-Myers Squibb has created an Orencia^® Stock Hypercare Plan (OSHP) to manage supply. The TGA provides more information on the OSHP plan.

Recommendations from the Australian Rheumatology Association include:

• No new patients should be started on subcutaneous or intravenous abatacept;
• Patients should be switched to an alternative biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) where possible; and
• Stock should be conserved for patients who have previously used two other b/tsDMARDs, or have a relative or absolute contraindication to other b/tsDMARDs.

Patients using Orencia^® should be encouraged to speak to their prescriber as soon as possible.

This supply issue only affects the subcutaneous presentations of Orencia^®. Bristol-Myers Squibb advises that there is sufficient stock of Orencia^® 250mg vials for intravenous infusion to support patients currently receiving it.

Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units until supplies return to normal. Report any problems identified with medicines, vaccines or medical devices to the TGA.

Should you require further information regarding this matter, please contact Bristol-Myers Squibb on 1800 067 567, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.

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