HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Merck Healthcare is anticipating a supply interruption for Cetrotide® as follows:
Cetrotide® Injection
Cetrorelix (as acetate) 250 microgram
ARTG 74888
A shortage of Cetrotide® is expected to occur at the end of August 2022 and last until the end of October 2022. This is due to technical problems at the main manufacturing site which has led to the reduced and delayed supply of Cetrotide®. The quality of the manufactured and released product batches is not affected by these technical issues.
HPS Pharmacies currently has access to a supply of Cetrotide® that has been restricted according to our historical usage. When supplies are exhausted, Merck Healthcare advises that alternative GnRH antagonists may be considered. Two brands of ganirelix are currently available, Orgalutran® and Ganirelix SUN.
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 Merck Healthcare on 1800 257 348 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Alphapharm is experiencing a supply interruption for Vecure® as follows:
Vecure® Vials
Vecuronium bromide 10mg
ARTG 165350
Normal supplies are expected to resume in early 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 Alphapharm on 1800 274 276 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Juno Pharmaceuticals is experiencing a supply interruption for Morphine Juno ampoules as follows:
Morphine Juno Ampoules
Morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 50 mg/5 mL
ARTG 224251
Resupply is expected by 11 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 your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Seqirus is experiencing a supply interruption for BenPen™ as follows:
BenPen™ Vials
Benzylpenicillin (as sodium) 1.2g
ARTG 10326
BenPen™ Vials
Benzylpenicillin (as sodium) 3g
ARTG 10327
Normal supplies of BenPen™ 1.2g and 3g vials are expected to resume by mid-late August 2022. An internationally registered brand of benzylpenicillin 1.2g vials has been approved for supply under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Some wholesalers may also experience short-term supply interruptions for BenPen™ 600mg during this time. However, this product may be considered as a substitute where appropriate and available.
If a suitable presentation of benzylpenicillin is not available, an Infectious Disease specialist should be consulted for advice.
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 Seqirus on 1800 642 865, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Aspen is experiencing a supply interruption for Chlorsig® Ointment as follows:
Chlorsing® 1% Ointment
Chloramphenicol 10 mg/g
ARTG 19662
Normal supplies are expected to resume by end-July 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 Aspen on 1300 659 646, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that there is currently a supply interruption for metronidazole tablets as follows:
| Product |
ARTG |
Estimated return date |
| Metrogyl® 200mg |
17654 |
Late July to early August 2022 |
| Metrogyl® 400mg |
17655 |
Late July 2022 |
| Flagyl® 200mg |
160171 |
Discontinued |
| Flagyl® 400mg |
160174 |
Late August 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 Fresenius Kabi is experiencing a supply interruption for Ropivacaine Kabi as follows:
Ropivacaine Kabi 0.2%
Ropivacaine 200mg/100mL
ARTG 195810
This short-term supply interruption is expected to resolve by August 2022. This supply interruption only relates to the 200mg/100mL presentation of Ropivacaine Kabi 0.2%. Other presentations and alternative brands of Ropivacaine 0.2% are currently unaffected and is still available at wholesalers.
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Global Harvest Pharmaceuticals is experiencing a supply interruption for Metaraminol GH Pharma as follows:
Metaraminol GH Pharma 3mg/6mL
Metaraminol 3mg/6mL
ARTG 300197
Supplies is still available in wholesalers and is expected to run out early-mid July. This short-term supply interruption is expected to resolve by mid-August 2022. This supply interruption only relates to the 3mg/6mL presentation of Metaraminol GH Pharma. Other presentations and alternative brands of Metaraminol 3mg/6mL are currently unaffected and is still available at wholesalers.
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.
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Boehringer Ingelheim is experiencing a supply interruption for Metalyse® as follows:
Metalyse® Injection
Tenecteplase (rch) 40mg
ARTG 75012
Metalyse® Injection
Tenecteplase (rch) 50mg
ARTG 75012
This short-term supply interruption is expected to resolve by the end of June 2022.
During this period, Boehringer Ingelheim advises that alteplase (Actilyse®) could be considered as an alternative therapy for the thrombolytic treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The product information for Metalyse® and Actilyse® are available from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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 Boehringer Ingelheim on 1800 226 315 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
Further to DrugAlert vol 753, HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Phebra has made updates to the labelling of Calcium Gluconate Injection as follows:
Calcium Gluconate Injection
Calcium gluconate 931mg/10mL
ARTG 355191
Beginning with batch number 15067 (expiry December 2024) and for all subsequent batches, the vial labels and cartons will have the millimole concentration of calcium featured more prominently.
The formulation remains unchanged. Each 10mL vial contains calcium gluconate monohydrate 931mg, which is equivalent to 2.2 mmol of calcium ions. The new packaging is shown below.
For further information, consult the Product Information.
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 Phebra on 1800 720 020 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
