Scarce supply of common medicine
If a consumer is unable to fill their antibiotic prescription, they should speak to their pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible
TGA REPORT
PHARMACISTS are reportedly spending hours a day trying to source some of Australia’s most regularly used prescription medications, talking with suppliers, or discussing alternatives with patients’ doctors.
And while it is the nationwide shortage of antibiotics amoxicillin, cefalexin and metronidazole that is creating the biggest public headache, supply issues with other medications used by patients with diabetes, reflux, anxiety, pain and other conditions are also a problem.
These include metformin, lorazepam, omeprazole, propanolol hydrochloride, gabapentin and certain strengths of hydrocortisone.
The TGA’s website provides updated information on medicine shortages, which includes a searchable database for specific medications and information about the supply issues.
At January 20, the database listed 380 current and 83 anticipated shortages. It also provided details of 171 shortages that have been resolved and 248 drug discontinuations.
The TGA database reveals 46 of the current and 11 of the anticipated shortages are listed as critical, “which means the shortage has the potential to have a life-threatening or serious impact on patients because suitable substitute medicines may not be readily available, or the medicine is listed on the Medicines Watch List.”
One of the antibiotic shortages causing the most concern are the powder forms used to create liquid suspension formulas. These are used regularly for children, the elderly and patients who cannot swallow tablets or capsules. The database reports it will be many months before some of these become available.
In response to the antibiotic shortage, the TGA has implemented a range of actions, including the publication of a dedicated antibiotic shortage webpage with advice for patients and prescribers. This includes guidance on alternative brands or strengths of an antibiotic that is in shortage, if they are available.
“Importantly, many antibiotic medicines in shortage have alternatives available,” the TGA advises.
“If a consumer is unable to fill their antibiotic prescription, they should speak to their pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible about alternatives for their situation.”
The TGA has also approved multiple overseasregistered antibiotics for temporary supply under section the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, some of which are listed on the PBS.
They have also made a serious scarcity substitution instrument (SSSI) for oral amoxicillin and oral cefalexin medicines, which allows pharmacists to dispense another amoxicillin or cefalexin product to a patient when one is unavailable, without prior approval from the prescriber, under certain circumstances.
“Whilst many of the shortages are expected to resolve in the next few months, we are aware of ongoing global constraints for some products which will see their shortages extend until the end of 2023,” the TGA reports.
There are current shortages of 18 different antibiotic active ingredients, with 39 brands of antibiotics currently unavailable.
“Most of the antibiotic shortages are caused by manufacturing issues or an unexpected increase in demand,” the TGA reports.
“Disruptions to the supply of Australian medicines can occur for many reasons, ranging from shortages of raw materials, batches of the medicine not meeting Australian specifications, or logistical delays including potential impacts of global events.”