Drug Discontinuation
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Merck Sharp & Dohme have announced the discontinuation of Emend® capsules as follows:
Emend® Capsules
Aprepitant 165mg
ARTG 182320
Wholesaler stock of Emend® capsules is expected to be depleted by April 2019. Emend® IV (fosaprepitant) is currently in stock and will remain available to order.
Aprepitant is a substance P antagonist. Other substance P antagonists available include fosaprepitant and netupitant. Fosaprepitant is a prodrug that is rapidly converted to aprepitant following IV administration. A randomised, double-blind study demonstrated non-inferiority of fosaprepitant to a three-day regimen of oral aprepitant in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Netupitant is an orally active substance P antagonist that is only available in combination with the 5HT3 antagonist, palonosetron. Please consult with the product information for full prescribing guidelines.
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 Merck Sharp & Dohme on 1800 678 883.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Aspen Australia is experiencing a supply interruption for Chlorvescent® effervescent tablets as follows:
Chlorvescent® Effervescent Tablets
Potassium 14mmol & chloride 8mmol
ARTG 71981
This supply interruption is due to an unexpected increase in demand following manufacturing issues and the discontinuation of some brands of slow-release potassium chloride tablets. Supplies of Chlorvescent® effervescent tablets are expected to return to normal in mid-February 2019.
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 Australia on 1300 659 646.
Drug Availability Update
Dear Valued Client,
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Bayer is continuing to experience a supply interruption for Citracal tablets as follows:
Citracal® Tablets
Calcium (as citrate) 250mg
ARTG 80764
Citracal® Plus D Tablets
Calcium (as citrate) + Colecalciferol 315mg/12.5mcg
ARTG 129696
Bayer are currently unable to advise of an expected date of return for Citracal® tablets or Citracal® Plus D tablets. Calcium carbonate may be considered as an alternative to calcium citrate for some patients, although its absorption is more dependent upon gastric pH.
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 Bayer Australia on 1800 678 368.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to give notice that Sandoz and Sun Pharma are experiencing a supply interruption for pantoprazole vials as follows:
Pantoprazole Sandoz Vials
Pantoprazole sodium 40mg
ARTG 147377
Pantoprazole Sun Vials
Pantoprazole sodium 40mg
ARTG 172172
This supply interruption is due to manufacturing issues and an unexpected increase in demand. There are no safety concerns with these products. Normal supplies are expected to resume in mid-February for the Sandoz product, and late April for the Sun Pharma product.
Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. Supplies of alternative injectable proton pump inhibitors are unaffected. Your HPS Pharmacies Clinical Pharmacist can provide advice on other available alternatives.
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, Sandoz on 1800 726 369, or Sun Pharma on 1800 726 299.
Drug Availability
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd are experiencing an interruption to the supply of:
Sinemet CR® (levodopa/carbidopa) 200mg/50mg modified release tablets
ARTG 171694
This product is in short supply due to manufacturing issues.
Medsurge has been able to arrange for supply of an alternative product Sinemet CR® 50mg/200mg Prolonged-Release Tablets pack of 60 (UK) on a temporary basis. This product is not registered for use in Australia and supply is authorised under an exemption granted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 until 31/01/2019 for the following indication(s):
- Idiopathic parkinsonism, where standard formulations containing levodopa/carbidopa have produced inadequate control. Experience is limited with Sinemet CR® in patients who have not been treated with levodopa before.
Please retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units as a reminder for all staff members.
Report any problems identified with medicines, vaccines or medical devices to the TGA.
Should you require further information regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies or Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd on (02) 8988 8000.
Drug Recall
HPS Pharmacies wish to advise that Baxter Healthcare have given notice of a drug recall of:
Milrinone (Claris) 10mg/10ml ampoules pack of 10
ARTG ID 223707
The affected batch number is Batch A0A0935.
This recall has been initiated after an Out of Specification result was detected during routine stability testing regarding the labelled concentration of lactic acid. The investigation concluded a decrease in the assay of lactic acid. The assay of milrinone was according to specifications.
If HPS Pharmacies provide imprest management services to your facility, a HPS representative will inspect your stock and quarantine all affected products for a refund. Your HPS Pharmacies Pharmacy Manager/Director of Pharmacy will contact your clinicians if there is an immediate impact to your facility.
Please retain this notice in a prominent position, including in other related business units as a reminder for all staff members.
Report any problems identified with medicines, vaccines or medical devices to the TGA.
Should you require further information regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your pharmacist at HPS Pharmacies or Baxter Healthcare on 1300 659 877.
