Further to DrugAlert volume 804, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that suppliers are continuing to experience a supply interruption for amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 875mg/125mg tablets.
| Product |
ARTG |
Current Status |
| Alphaclav Duo Forte |
230396 |
Early November 2022 |
| Amclavox Duo Forte |
288119 |
Late November 2022 |
| AmoxyClav Generichealth 875/125 |
255076 |
Late October 2022 |
| APX-Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid 875/125 |
351833 |
Early December 2022 |
| Augmentin Duo Forte |
54900 |
Mid-September 2022 |
| Curam Duo Forte |
198109 |
Early October 2022 |
This supply interruption is due to an unexpected increase in demand.
An internationally registered brand of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 875mg/125mg tablets has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that multiple suppliers are experiencing a supply interruption for amoxicillin 250mg/5mL suspension, as follows:
| Product |
ARTG |
Expected return date |
| APO-Amoxycillin Suspension |
137883 |
Late January 2023 |
| Amoxycillin Sandoz Suspension |
93720 |
Mid-October 2022 |
| Amoxil® Forte Sugar-Free Syrup |
11134 |
Mid-November 2022 |
This supply interruption is due to an unexpected increase in demand.
An internationally registered brand of amoxicillin 250mg/5mL suspension has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Vertex, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a product defect correction notice for Trikafta® as follows:
Trikafta® Tablets
Elexacaftor / Tezacaftor / Ivacaftor
ARTG 330423
This notice has been issued due to the potential for some packets to contain the correct tablets in the incorrect orientation. In some cases, the orange morning doses are located in the evening dosing section of the wallet, and the blue evening dose is found in the morning section, as shown below.
Figure 1. Incorrect orientation of tablets
If patients were to take the medication as presented in the affected packets, they would receive the same daily dose but in a different dosing schedule. It is important that patients receive this medication as prescribed in order to prevent recurrence of their underlying disease.
The only affected batch number is 1846070 (expiry 03/2023).
The TGA advises healthcare professionals to check all packs from the affected batch to ensure that tablets are correctly orientated. Any product affected by this issue should be quarantined until returned to the supplier.
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 Vertex on 1800 179 987 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Aspen is continuing to experience a supply interruption for Tracrium® as follows:
Tracrium®
Atracurium besilate 25mg/2.5mL
ARTG 11008
Tracrium®
Atracurium besilate 50mg/5mL
ARTG 39289
Normal supplies of Tracrium® 25mg are expected to return in mid-September 2022; supplies of Tracrium® 50mg are expected in late September 2022. An alternative brand of atracurium 50mg may be accessed through the special access scheme (SAS), if required.
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 on 1300 659 646 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
Further to DrugAlert vol 794, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that suppliers are continuing to experience a supply interruption for metronidazole tablets as follows:
| Product |
ARTG |
Estimated return date |
| Metrogyl® 200mg |
17654 |
Early September 2022 |
| Metrogyl® 400mg |
17655 |
End-August 2022 |
| Flagyl® 200mg |
160171 |
Discontinued |
| Flagyl® 400mg |
160174 |
Early September 2022 |
| Metronide® 200mg |
160173 |
Discontinued |
| Metronide® 400mg |
160175 |
Discontinued |
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that all suppliers are experiencing a supply interruption for amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 875mg/125mg tablets, as follows:
| Product |
ARTG |
Expected Return Date |
| Alphaclav Duo Forte |
230396 |
Mid-September 2022 |
| Amclavox Duo Forte |
288119 |
Late November 2022 |
| AmoxyClav Generichealth 875/125 |
255076 |
Late October 2022 |
| APX-Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid 875/125 |
351833 |
Early December 2022 |
| Augmentin Duo Forte |
54900 |
Early September 2022 |
| Curam Duo Forte |
198109 |
Early December 2022 |
This supply interruption is due to an unexpected increase in demand.
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Eli Lilly is experiencing a supply interruption for Trulicity® as follows:
Trulicity® Pen
Dulaglutide (rch) 1.5 mg/0.5 mL
ARTG 217965
This supply interruption is due to an unexpected increase in demand. Normal supplies are expected to return by end-August 2022. An internationally registered brand of dulaglutide (rch) 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pens has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
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 Eli Lilly on 1800 454 559 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Novo Nordisk is continuing to experience a supply interruption for Ozempic® as follows:
Ozempic® 0.25/0.5mg Pen
Semaglutide 1.34mg/mL
ARTG 308324
Ozempic® 1mg Pen
Semaglutide 1.34mg/mL
ARTG 315107
Supplies of Ozempic® are currently limited due to an unexpected increase in demand. Normal supplies are expected to return by end-December 2022. An internationally registered brand of semaglutide 0.25/0.5mg pens and semaglutide 1mg pens has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
A statement is available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website reminding health professionals to prioritise the supply of semaglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes.
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 Novo Nordisk on 1800 668 626 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that AstraZeneca is experiencing a supply interruption for Pulmicort® Turbuhaler® as follows:
Pulmicort® Turbuhaler®
Budesonide 200 microgram/ actuation
ARTG 10065
Normal supplies of Pulmicort® Turbuhaler® 200mcg are expected to resume by end-August 2022.
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 AstraZeneca on 1800 805 342 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice of an alert for Xylocaine® 2% with Adrenaline as follows:
Xylocaine® 2% with Adrenaline Vial, 20mL
Lidocaine (lignocaine) 5mg/mL + adrenaline (epinephrine) 5microgram/mL
This alert only relates to the internationally-registered product supplied under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 while the Australian-registered product is unavailable.
HPS Pharmacies has been advised that the Canadian supplier of the S19A alternative has incorrectly shipped a product containing preservative instead of the preservative-free product. The administration of Xylocaine® with preservative may cause patient harm, particularly when the intrathecal or epidural routes are used.
The only batch affected by this issue is batch #9949864.
HPS Pharmacies can confirm that we have not received or supplied to our clients any product from this batch. The similar packaging of the two products is shown below for informational purposes.
| Xylocaine® 2% with Adrenaline with preservative:
|
Xylocaine® 2% with Adrenaline without preservative:
|
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 refer to the Safer Care Victoria notice (available here) or contact your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
