HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Perrigo Australia is experiencing a supply interruption of Diazepam Rectal Solution, as follows:
Diazepam Rectal Solution, 5mL
Diazepam 5mg/5ml
This supply interruption is due to the identification of an atypical product stability trend which may impact the product meeting its specification shelf life. Therefore, Perrigo has suspended production of the product until an investigation has been completed and any necessary changes to production procedures implemented.
The current advice from Perrigo’s Quality Assurance team is that the issue does not affect batches of the product which have been supplied to the market. Due to the nature of the review required, Perrigo is not yet able to provide an expected date for return of normal supplies.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business 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 Perrigo Australia on 1800 805 546, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that all suppliers are experiencing a supply interruption of teicoplanin, as follows:
Targocid® Vials
Teicoplanin 400mg
ARTG 47886
Teicoplanin Sandoz
Teicoplanin 400mg
ARTG 157812
Normal supplies of Targocid® are expected to resume by mid-March 2023; supplies of Teicoplanin Sandoz are expected in mid-April 2023.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business 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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Further to DrugAlert volume 847, HPS Pharmacies advise that Organon Pharma is experiencing a supply interruption of Celestone® Chronodose® Injection Ampoule, as follows:
Celestone® Chronodose® Injection Ampoule
Betamethasone (as acetate and sodium phosphate) 5.7 mg/mL
ARTG 18777
Normal supplies are expected to return in the second half of 2023. During this period, supplies will be available on a restricted basis to critically ill patients. Specifically, Organon is prioritising supply for antepartum use in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants prior to 32 weeks of gestation.
This supply interruption is due to a recent drug recall. Batches affected by the recall are:
- W001995
- W005320
- W010769
- W015061
For further information on the drug recall, please see DrugAlert volume 847.
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 Organon Pharma on 1800 024 874 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that all suppliers are experiencing a supply interruption of cefuroxime tablets, as follows:
Zinnat® Tablets
Cefuroxime 250mg
ARTG 47621
Pharmacor Cefuroxime Tablets
Cefuroxime 250mg
ARTG 273229
Normal supplies of Zinnat® tablets are expected to resume in late February 2023.
Please note that Zinnat® granules for oral suspension (cefuroxime 125mg/5mL) has now been discontinued by the supplier.
Retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business 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 Organon Pharma, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has initiated a drug recall for Celestone® Chronodose® Injection Ampoule as follows:
Celestone® Chronodose® Injection Ampoule
Betamethasone (as acetate and sodium phosphate) 5.7 mg/mL
ARTG 18777
This recall has been initiated due to the potential for ampoules in the affected batches to contain stainless steel particles, arising from the manufacturing process. The size of the particles identified in the investigation are within range or smaller than the needle diameter recommended for administering the product. Therefore, there is a risk of the stainless steel particles being injected into a patient.
Potential adverse effects associated with this could include:
- Foreign body granuloma (local inflammatory reaction); and
- New-onset or worsening joint inflammation (for intra-articular doses).
Affected batches are: W001995, W005320, W010769 and W015061
Please inspect your stock and quarantine all products from the affected batches. 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 Organon Pharma on 1800 024 874 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Perrigo Australia is discontinuing Riodine® S Povidone-Iodine Surgical Scrub 7.5% (Self-Contained Pump Pack), as follows:
Riodine® S Povidone-Iodine Surgical Scrub 7.5%
500mL Solution
The decision to discontinue Riodine® Surgical Scrub was made due to issues obtaining raw materials and the inability to ensure consistent supply. Perrigo advises that this discontinuation is effective immediately.
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 Perrigo Australia on 1800 805 546 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Echo Therapeutics are experiencing a supply interruption for Temgesic® sublingual tablets as follows:
Temgesic® Sublingual Tablets
Buprenorphine 200 microgram
ARTG 34091
This short-term supply interruption affects both the 20-pack and 50-pack of sublingual tablets. Normal supplies are currently expected to resume by the end of March 2023.
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 Echo Therapeutics on 1300 848 328, or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Juno and Sanofi-Aventis are discontinuing the following cabazitaxel products:
Cabazitaxel Juno Vials
Cabazitaxel 60 mg/1.5 mL
ARTG 287929
Jevtana® Vials
Cabazitaxel 60 mg/1.5 mL
ARTG 175500
Cabazitaxel remains available in a 60mg/6mL vial (Cabazitaxel Ever).
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 Baxter is anticipating a supply interruption for Fluconazole-Baxter injection for infusion as follows:
Fluconazole-Baxter 2mg/mL, 100mL
Fluconazole 2mg/mL
ARTG 133468
A supply interruption is anticipated for the 100mL vials from 1 March 2023. This is expected to continue until 31 August 2023. This supply interruption is due to manufacturing delays.
In order to minimise the impact of this issue, Baxter will be supplying Fluconazole-Baxter 2mg/mL 50mL vials.
i.e. one unit of Fluconazole-Baxter 2mg/mL 100mL will be replaced with two units of Fluconazole-Baxter 2mg/mL 50mL. There will be no additional cost associated with this.
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 Baxter on 1800 229 837 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that iNova Pharmaceuticals is experiencing a supply interruption for Difflam® Solution as follows:
Difflam® Solution 500mL
Benzydamine hydrochloride 1.5 mg/mL
ARTG 38572
Normal supplies of Difflam® Solution are expected to return in late May 2023.
Alternatives that could be considered include:
- Difflam® Sore Throat Spray (benzydamine HCl 1.5mg/mL);
- Difflam® Forte Sore Throat Spray (benzydamine HCl 3mg/mL); and
- Difflam®-C Solution (benzydamine HCl 1.5mg/mL + chlorhexidine gluconate 1.2mg/mL)
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 iNova Pharmaceuticals on 1800 630 056 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
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