HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Omegapharm is experiencing a supply interruption for mitomycin vials as follows:
Mitomycin Omegapharm
Mitomycin 20mg
ARTG 243554
This supply interruption is related to a quality discrepancy identified in batch P2600155 (expiry 12/2027). This batch may have been exposed to a temperature excursion during transit from the manufacturing site to the warehouse, causing inconsistent reconstitution characteristics. As a result, availability of Mitomycin Omegapharm through wholesalers may be impacted until a replacement batch becomes available in December 2026
An alternative brand, Mitocin® (mitomycin 20mg), is currently 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 Omegapharm on (03) 9483 0070, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Pfizer is anticipating a supply interruption for diazepam ampoules as follows:
DBL™ Diazepam Ampoules
Diazepam 10mg/2ml
ARTG 115049
This supply interruption is expected to occur between late September 2026 and late January 2027.
An internationally registered alternative has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Please note that S19A products have a longer lead time and different pricing as they must be sourced internationally.
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 wish to advise that Pfizer is continuing to experience a supply interruption for promethazine ampoules as follows:
DBL™ Promethazine Hydrochloride Ampoules
Promethazine hydrochloride 50mg/2mL
ARTG 16255
Normal supplies are expected to resume from the end of December 2027.
Internationally registered alternatives have been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. There are important differences between these products that should be considered before use, particularly regarding dilution requirements and routes of administration. Key differences are summarised in the table below.
Note: Promethazine is highly caustic and may cause severe tissue injury if administered incorrectly. Preparation and administration should be undertaken with caution. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to review the relevant product information and supporting resources before use, including the documents linked in the table below.
|
DBL™ Promethazine |
XGen Promethazine (USA) |
Promethazin-Neuraxpharm (German) |
| Strength |
50 mg/2 mL |
25 mg/1 mL |
50 mg/2 mL |
| Presentation |
2 mL glass ampoules
(Pack of 5) |
1 mL glass ampoules
(Pack of 25) |
2 mL glass ampoules
(Pack of 5) |
| Excipients |
Disodium edetate
Glacial acetic acid
Sodium acetate
Sodium metabisulfite
Water for injection |
Acetic acid
Calcium chloride
Edetate sodium
Phenol
Sodium acetate
Sodium metabisulfite
Water for injection |
Ascorbic acid
Hydrochloric acid 10%
Sodium chloride
Sodium citrate
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium sulfite
Water for injection |
| pH |
5 – 6 |
4 – 5.5 |
Not specified |
| Label language |
English |
English |
German |
| Preferred route |
Deep IM injection |
| Administration |
IV injection
- Dilute with water to 2.5mg/mL
- Slow IV (max rate of 25mg/min)
|
IV injection/infusion
- Dilute with 0.9% NaCl to 1mg/mL
- Max infusion rate 2.5-5mg/mL (adults) or 1.25mg/mL (child)
|
IV administration unsuitable due to lack of dilution and compatibility information. |
| Caution |
Subcutaneous route contraindicated for all products |
| Storage |
Below 25°C.
Protect from light. |
20-25°C.
Protect from light. |
Below 25°C.
Protect from light. |
| Additional information |
Product information |
Dear Health Care Professional Letter (USA) |
Dear Health Care Professional Letter (Germany) |
Please note that S19A products also have a longer lead time and different pricing as they must be sourced internationally.
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 wish to advise that Fresenius Kabi is currently experiencing a supply interruption affecting the following presentations of Fresofol®:
Fresofol® 1% MCT/LCT
Propofol 500mg/50mL
ARTG 193609
Fresofol® 1% MCT/LCT
Propofol 1000mg/100mL
ARTG 193610
To ensure equitable access to ongoing shipments, supplies of the 500 mg/50 mL and 1000 mg/100 mL presentations are currently being restricted by the wholesaler.
Fresofol® 1% MCT/LCT propofol 200mg/20mL remains readily available and should be used where appropriate.
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 Fresenius Kabi on (02) 9391 5555, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Norgine, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a drug recall for Movicol® sachets as follows:
| Product |
ARTG |
Affected batches |
| Movicol® Chocolate 30s |
181835 |
454784 (Exp 30/11/2027) |
| Movicol® Lemon & Lime 30s |
60786 |
445603 (Exp 30/11/2027) |
| Movicol® Junior Flavour Free 30s |
160225 |
478815 (Exp 30/09/2028) |
This recall was initiated as products in the abovementioned batches were found to be manufactured using residual bulk material that was later deemed to be out-of-specification. Norgine advises that there is no evidence of patient safety or efficacy concerns with this issue.
If HPS Pharmacies provide imprest management services to your facility, an HPS representative will inspect all stock stored in the designated imprest areas at the earliest opportunity. All affected products will be quarantined, and HPS Pharmacies will arrange for replacement stock as soon as possible. An HPS Pharmacies staff member will contact senior medical and nursing staff if there is an immediate impact to your facility.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for 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 Norgine at [email protected], or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Medsurge, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a drug recall for Medicianz Mupirocin Ointment as follows:
Medicianz Mupirocin Ointment
Mupirocin 2%w/w
ARTG 279471
Lot numbers affected by this recall are:
- S082414.2 (Exp August 2026)
- S092415.1 (Exp September 2026)
- S092416.1 (Exp September 2026)
Ongoing stability testing has identified these batches as being out of specification (OOS) at the 24-month testing point for both the assay (content) of mupirocin and related impurities.
If HPS Pharmacies provide imprest management services to your facility, an HPS representative will inspect all stock stored in the designated imprest areas at the earliest opportunity. All affected products will be quarantined for return to the supplier, and HPS Pharmacies will arrange for replacement stock as soon as possible. An HPS Pharmacies staff member will contact senior medical and nursing staff if there is an immediate impact to your facility.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for 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 Medsurge on 1300 788 261, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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Further to DrugAlert vol 1063, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that the supply interruption affecting Ventolin® 2.5mg nebules continues.
Ventolin® Nebules
Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5mL
ARTG 12533
Normal supplies of Ventolin® 2.5mg nebules are now expected to resume in late December 2026.
Salbutamol Cipla 2.5 mg inhalation ampoules have been discontinued. Salbutamol Cipla 5 mg inhalation ampoules are currently available.
Internationally registered salbutamol 2.5 mg/2.5 mL and 5 mg/2.5 mL inhalation ampoules have been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Please note that S19A products may have a longer lead time and different pricing as they must be sourced internationally.
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 Dr. Reddys, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a drug recall for eribulin vials as follows:
Eribulin Dr. Reddy’s
Eribulin mesylate 1 mg/2 mL
ARTG 390346
The only batch affected by this recall is: H250657 (Expiry: May 2027).
This drug recall was initiated following identification of an out of specification result during stability testing. The assay result reported (93.3 %) is below the registered specification of 95 -100%.
Assay results below the labelled claim may lead to patients receiving a lower-than-intended eribulin dose, potentially resulting in reduced efficacy and subtherapeutic exposure. Dr Reddy’s advises that the probability of adverse health consequences is remote, and no reports of loss of efficacy or of adverse events associated with this problem have been received.
Please inspect your stock and quarantine all products from the affected batch. If HPS Pharmacies provide imprest management services to your facility, an HPS representative will inspect all stock stored in the designated imprest areas at the earliest opportunity. All affected products will be quarantined for return to the supplier, and HPS Pharmacies will arrange for replacement stock as soon as possible. An HPS Pharmacies staff member will contact senior medical and nursing staff if there is an immediate impact to your facility.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for 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 Dr Reddy’s on 1800 733 397, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that phenytoin 100mg ampoules have been discontinued as follows:
DBL Phenytoin Injection
Phenytoin sodium 100mg/2mL
ARTG 46942
Phenytoin Juno
Phenytoin sodium 100mg/2mL
ARTG 117872
Both brands of phenytoin 100 mg/2 mL ampoules have now been discontinued. In addition, Phenytoin Juno 250 mg/5 mL ampoules have also been discontinued. As a result, the only injectable phenytoin product currently available is DBL Phenytoin Injection 250 mg/5 mL.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units for 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 your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Aspen Pharmacare is anticipating a supply interruption for Phenobarbitone 200 mg Ampoules as follows:
Phenobarbitone Injection
Phenobarbitone 200 mg/mL
ARTG 175471
This supply interruption is expected to occur between July 2026 to November 2026.
An internationally registered alternative has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Please note that S19A products may have a longer lead time and different pricing as they must be sourced internationally.
The S19A product LUMINAL phenobarbital sodium 219 mg/1 mL (equivalent to phenobarbitone 200 mg) ampoule, is registered and marketed in Germany, and will be available to order from wholesalers from the week commencing 13th July. It is identical to the Australian registered product in active ingredient, strength and pack size and is sourced from the same manufacturing site. Aspen has over-labelled the product with English labelling
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 Australia on 1300 659 646 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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