Orencia Shortage: Substitution Plan in Place from May 15 to Oct 31, 2024

Update: 14 May 2024 - Orencia (Abatacept) 125 mg/mL Shortage 

Orencia (abatacept) 125 mg/mL ClickJect autoinjector and prefilled syringe for subcutaneous injection are currently in shortage. This shortage has started earlier than expected, impacting both products:

  • ClickJect (autoinjector): Shortage from 8 May to 30 August 2024, due to manufacturing delays.
  • Prefilled syringe: Shortage from 8 May to 30 September 2024, due to increased consumer demand.

Actions Taken:

Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI):

  • Allows pharmacists to dispense either the ClickJect autoinjector or prefilled syringe based on availability, starting from 15 May 2024 until 31 October 2024.
  • Ensures patients can receive abatacept despite the specific product shortage.

Support and Guidance:

  • The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) has published clinical guidance to mitigate the shortage's impact.
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has implemented an Orencia Stock Hypercare Plan (OSHP) to manage stock and orders.

Medicine Shortages Action Group (MSAG):

  • Formed to address the shortage's impact, working with ARA, Arthritis Australia (AA), BMS, and pharmacy groups.
  • Developing strategies to conserve Orencia for patients unable to switch treatments.

Exploration of Overseas Supply:

  • Efforts are underway to source overseas-registered abatacept products to alleviate the shortage.

Patients and Carers:

  • Consult specialists about managing treatment and possible switches to alternative medicines.
  • Learn how to use both the ClickJect autoinjector and prefilled syringe in case of substitution.
  • Seek advice from pharmacists or specialists if unfamiliar with the substituted product.

Prescribers:

  • Avoid starting new patients on subcutaneous or intravenous abatacept.
  • Switch patients to alternative biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD) if possible.
  • Ensure eligible patients for Orencia subcutaneous presentations are registered in the OSHP.

Pharmacists:

  • Facilitate substitutions as per the SSSI guidelines.
  • Use professional judgement to assess and explain the substitution to patients, ensuring they understand and consent.
  • Contact BMS for information and assistance with the OSHP process.

Additional Resources:

Detailed information and updates can be found on the Arthritis Australia website and the Medicine shortage reports database.

References:

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