Product Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Baxter is experiencing a supply issue for Elastomeric devices. Baxter has been monitoring this global issue and taking action to minimise supply interruptions for their customers. However, it is now anticipated that a supply interruption will occur for the LV-10 device as follows:
Elastomeric Large Volume Infusor LV-10
Nominal Flow Rate 10mL/hour
This supply interruption is anticipated to occur from the week beginning 6 December 2021.
To minimise the impact, Baxter has imposed the following restrictions on the supply of compounded and non-compounded LV-10 devices:
- Total restriction of supply of non-compounded LV-10 devices
- Maximum order quantity of 10 pre-filled saline LV-10 devices
- Supply of compounded LV-10 devices greater than 7 days (with consultation).
These restrictions only affect the LV-10 device. The LV-5 device remains available and may be considered as an alternative. HPS Pharmacies is following up with Baxter to confirm when normal supply of the LV-10 will return.
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.
Drug Availability Update
Further to DrugAlert Vol 733, HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd is continuing to experience a supply interruption for the following local anaesthetic products:
| Product |
ARTG |
Estimated Return Date |
| Naropin 0.2% 5 x 100mL (sterile theatre pack) |
52396 |
December 2021 |
| Naropin 0.2% with Fentanyl 200mcg/100mL (sterile theatre pack) |
72874 |
December 2021 |
| Naropin 0.2% with Fentanyl 400mcg/100mL (sterile theatre pack) |
72876 |
January 2022 |
| Xylocaine 2% Adrenaline 1:200,000 5X20mL (Sterile Theatre Pack) |
12021 |
April 2022 |
| Xylocaine 1% Adrenaline 1:200,000 5X20mL (Sterile Theatre Pack) |
12015 |
April 2022 |
The following presentations of Xylocaine with Adrenaline remain available:
- Xylocaine 0.5% Adrenaline 1:200,000 5X20mL (Sterile Theatre Pack)
- Xylocaine 1% Adrenaline 1:100,000 10X5mL Ampoules
- Xylocaine 2% Adrenaline 1:80,000 10X5mL Ampoules
Additional care is advised when ordering and administering these preparations as they are not direct substitutes for the products that are unavailable. The concentrations and volumes may be different, and the 5mL ampoules are not supplied in sterile theatre packs.
All other local anaesthetic products marketed by Aspen are available as normal.
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, or Aspen Pharmacare Australia on 1300 659 646.
Formulation Change
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Pfizer is changing the formulation of Ibrance® (palbociclib).
From January 2022, all three strengths will transition from the current capsule formulation the new tablet form. There is no change to the active ingredient, available strengths, dosing schedule, or monitoring requirements.
Key benefits offered by the new tablet formulation include:
- Tablets may be taken with or without food
- Blister pack may assist patients to keep track of their treatment cycles; and
- Minimised dietary concerns (tablets are free of lactose, gluten, and gelatin).
For further information, consult the updated 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 Pfizer on 1800 675 229 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
Drug Discontinuation
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Bayer has discontinued Citracal tablets as follows:
Citracal® Tablets
Calcium (as citrate) 250mg
ARTG 131240
Citracal® Plus D Tablets
Calcium (as citrate) + Colecalciferol 315mg/12.5mcg
ARTG 129696
Calcium carbonate may be considered as an alternative to calcium citrate, although its absorption is more dependent upon gastric pH.
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, or Bayer Australia on 1800 039 076.
Product Defect Alert
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Novo Nordisk, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a product defect alert for the following insulins:
NovoRapid® Flexpen
Insulin Aspart 300U/3mL
ARTG 133445
NovoMix® 30 Penfill
Soluble insulin aspart 30% + insulin aspart 70% 300U/3mL
ARTG 143165
Fiasp® Flextouch
Insulin Aspart 300U/3mL
ARTG 275394
This product defect alert is in regards to text errors in the pack inserts of all batches of NovoRapid® FlexPen, Fiasp® FlexTouch and NovoMix® 30 Penfill supplied in Australia since June 2021.
The pack insert for NovoRapid® FlexPen and Fiasp® FlexTouch incorrectly states the storage requirements, while the pack insert for NovoMix® 30 Penfill contains an incomplete description of an active ingredient and its appearance. However, this information is correct on the product cartons and the Product Information documents. No adverse events associated with this issue have been reported to NovoNordisk to date.
Actions proposed by NovoNordisk:
- Advise patients to follow the instructions written on the carton for in-use storage details;
- Counsel patients about the error when dispensing affected products; and
- Provide a current copy of the Consumer Medicine Information from the TGA website.
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 NovoNordisk on 1800 668 626 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Seqirus is experiencing a supply interruption for Caldolor® as follows:
Caldolor® Injection Vial
Ibuprofen 800mg/8mL
ARTG 175191
Normal supplies are expected to resume by mid-late November 2021.
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.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Pfizer is experiencing a supply interruption for heparin as follows:
DBL™ Heparin Sodium Injection BP
Heparin Sodium 5,000IU/1mL
ARTG 12881
Supplies of DBL™ Heparin Sodium 5,000IU/1mL are currently constrained. However, HPS Pharmacies has sourced an internationally registered alternative which may be accessed via the Special Access Scheme (SAS), if necessary. Please note that SAS alternatives are subject to 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.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Merck Sharp & Dohme is experiencing a supply interruption for Emend® IV as follows:
Emend® IV
Fosaprepitant 150mg
ARTG 167061
Normal supplies are expected to resume in early January 2022. HPS Pharmacies has sourced an internationally registered alternative which may be accessed via the Special Access Scheme (SAS), if necessary. Please note that SAS alternatives are subject to 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 Merck Sharp & Dohme on (02) 8988 8000 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Aspen Pharmacare is experiencing a supply interruption for Span K® as follows:
Span K® Tablets
Potassium Chloride 600mg
ARTG 27978
Normal supplies are expected to resume in late October 2021.
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.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Pfizer Australia is experiencing a supply interruption for acetylcysteine as follows:
DBL Acetylcysteine Ampoules
Acetylcysteine 2g/10mL
ARTG 121503
Normal supplies are expected to return by 30 November 2021.
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 Australia on 1800 675 229 or your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies.
