HPS Pharmacies wishes to advise that Janssen-Cilag has discontinued all strengths of Durogesic® patches as follows:
Durogesic® Patch
Fentanyl 12 mcg/h
ARTG 116828
Durogesic® Patch
Fentanyl 25 mcg/h
ARTG 112368
Durogesic® Patch
Fentanyl 50 mcg/h
ARTG 112369
Durogesic® Patch
Fentanyl 75 mcg/h
ARTG 112370
Durogesic® Patch
Fentanyl 100 mcg/h
ARTG 112371
The discontinuation is due to manufacturing issues. Alternative brands of fentanyl patches remain available.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for at least one month. Report any problems identified with medicines, vaccines or medical devices to the TGA.
Should you require further information regarding this matter, please contact Janssen-Cilag on 1800 226 334 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Pfizer is anticipating a supply interruption for Bicillin® L-A as follows:
Bicillin L-A
Benzathine benzylpenicillin tetrahydrate 1,200,000 Units / 2.3 mL
ARTG 147169
This supply interruption is expected to occur between 30 May 2025 and 29 August 2025.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has authorised the supply of an internationally registered alternative under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This product is also listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). There is a lead time of 10-15 business days to access this stock.
The S19A alternative requires reconstitution prior to administration, and its final volume is approximately double that of the Australian version. This should be considered when deciding on the clinical appropriateness of this alternative. Reconstitution may be undertaken with 0.5% injectable lidocaine solution (not supplied) to reduce pain at the injection site. Other key differences between the products are shown in the table below.
| |
Bicillin® L-A |
Extencilline®
(S19A alternative) |
| Expression of active ingredient |
Benzathine benzylpenicillin
tetrahydrate |
Benzathine benzylpenicillin |
| Appearance |
White fluid suspension
Pre-filled syringe |
Vial of powder + ampoule of solvent for suspension |
| Volume required for 1.2 million IU dose |
2.3 mL |
4 mL diluent + powder = 5 mL (approx.) |
| Preparation |
Pre-filled single use syringe |
Reconstitute immediately before use |
| Labelling |
English |
French |
| Storage conditions |
2-8°C
(storage at 30°C allowed for single period of 2 months) |
Below 25°C |
For further information, including important safety considerations, please refer to the fact sheet produced by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Please note: the lower strength of Bicillin L-A (600,000 Units/1.7mL) continues to experience a long-term supply interruption. Normal supplies of this product are not expected to return until end-September 2025.
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 Pfizer on 1800 675 229, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wishes to advise that Aspen Pharmacare Australia is discontinuing Naropin® with Fentanyl injection bags as follows:
Naropin® 0.2% with Fentanyl 200 (100mL)
Ropivacaine hydrochloride 2mg/mL + fentanyl 2 microgram/mL
ARTG 72874
Naropin® 0.2% with Fentanyl 400 (100mL)
Ropivacaine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL + fentanyl 4 microgram/mL
ARTG 72876
Naropin® 0.2% with Fentanyl 400 (200mL)
Ropivacaine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL + fentanyl 2 microgram/mL
ARTG 72873
Naropin® 0.2% with Fentanyl 800 (200mL)
Ropivacaine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL + fentanyl 4 microgram/mL
ARTG 72875
There will be a reduction in supply until warehouse supplies are exhausted.
There are no alternatives available in the market. However, individual presentations of each active ingredient are available. It is recommended that relevant hospital protocols are reviewed and updated, as required.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for at least one month. Report any problems identified with medicines, vaccines or medical devices to the TGA.
Should you require further information regarding this matter, please contact Aspen Pharmacare on 1300 659 646 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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Further to DrugAlert vol 1004, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Juno Pharmaceuticals is continuing to experience a supply interruption for Amiodarone Juno ampoules as follows:
Amiodarone Juno Ampoules
Amiodarone hydrochloride 150mg/3mL
ARTG 233673
This supply interruption is anticipated to continue until late June 2025.
While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has authorised the supply of a Section 19A alternative, this product is not available due to an export ban.
An S19A approval is pending for an additional brand of amiodarone 150mg/3mL ampoules. This product is currently available for order. However, until the S19A application is approved, this product can only be accessed via the Special Access Scheme (SAS). The lead time for this product is approximately two weeks.
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 your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that there is currently a supply interruption for azithromycin 500mg tablets, as follows:
Azithromycin Sandoz Tablets
Azithromycin (as dihydrate) 500mg
ARTG 158292
Normal supplies of Azithromycin Sandoz 500mg tablets are expected to return in early April 2025. Other suppliers are also experiencing supply issues.
An internationally registered alternative has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The S19A product contains azithromycin 500mg presented in packs of three tablets. All labelling is in English.
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.
If you require further information regarding this matter, please contact Sandoz on 1800 726 369 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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Further to DrugAlert vol 998, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Juno Pharmaceuticals is continuing to experience a supply interruption for Amiodarone Juno ampoules as follows:
Amiodarone Juno Ampoules
Amiodarone hydrochloride 150mg/3mL
ARTG 233673
This supply interruption is anticipated to continue until late June 2025.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has now authorised the supply of a Section 19A alternative. This product is registered in the UK and all labelling is in English.
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 your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Viatris is experiencing some supply issues for midazolam as follows:
Midazolam Viatris
Midazolam 5 mg/1 mL
ARTG 160207
Normal supplies of this product are expected to return in early May 2025. Other brands of midazolam 5mg/1mL are also experiencing supply issues.
Other presentations of midazolam, including 5mg/5mL ampoules and 15mg/3mL ampoules remain available.
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 Viatris on 1800 274 276 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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Further to DrugAlert vol 1000, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Aspen Pharmacare is experiencing a supply interruption for Xylocaine® 1% ampoules as follows:
Xylocaine® 1% Ampoules, 2mL
Lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride 20mg/2mL
ARTG 12013
Xylocaine® 1% Ampoules, 5mL
Lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride 50mg/5mL
ARTG 48357
This supply interruption is expected to continue until late May 2025. An alternative brand of lidocaine 1% 2mL ampoules is also experiencing a long-term supply interruption. An alternative brand of lidocaine 1% 5mL ampoules is currently available. However, it is anticipated that supplies of this product may be insufficient to meet demands.
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 Aspen Pharmacare on 1300 659 646 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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Dear Valued Client,
HPS Pharmacies wish to provide an update on the availability of heparin, as shown in the table below.
| Product |
Brand |
Status |
| 50 IU/5mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Unavailable
Normal supplies expected April 2026 |
| Wockhardt (S19A) |
Available |
| 1,000 IU/1mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Available |
| 5,000 IU/0.2mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Available |
| 5,000 IU/0.5mL (PFS) |
Interpharma |
Available |
| 5,000 IU/1mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Limited availability
Normal supplies expected mid-April 2025 |
| 5,000 IU/5mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Available
|
| 25,000 IU/5mL (ampoules) |
Pfizer |
Limited availability |
Supply issues have now resolved for most heparin products. However, supplies are still limited for the 5,000 IU/1ml and 25,000 IU/5ml products.
Heparin is a high-risk medication. Additional care is recommended when selecting products, particularly when the packaging may be unfamiliar.
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 your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Aspen Pharmacare is anticipating a supply interruption for Xylocaine® 1% (20mg/2mL) ampoules as follows:
Xylocaine® 1% Ampoules, 2mL
Lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride 20mg/2mL
ARTG 12013
This supply interruption is expected to continue until late May 2025. Other presentations of Xylocaine® 1% ampoules are not affected by this notice.
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 Aspen Pharmacare on 1300 659 646 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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