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...
50 Years of Vaccines: 154 Million Lives Saved, Study Reveals
Vaccines have been transformative for public health. New research led by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that vaccines have saved approximately 154 million lives over the past 50 years, primarily protecting children under five, with around two-thirds of those...
2024 shortage of Orencia medicines
The pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia (BMS) is anticipating shortages of both Orencia (abatacept) 125 mg products:Product and supply statusClickJect (autoinjector) in shortage 3 June to 30 August 2024Prefilled syringe in shortage 17 June to 30 September 2024Information for pharmacistsBMS...
Clinician alert: High rates of influenza across North Queensland
Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) and Townsville Public Health Unit have requested we distribute this letter to clinicians in the region.We have been seeing high rates of influenza A throughout North Queensland, with resulting strain on the healthcare system.This is concerning...
Clinician alert: Permethrin 5% cream (Lyclear®) shortage
Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) and Townsville Public Health Unit have requested we distribute this factsheet to clinicians in the region. Permethrin 5% cream (Lyclear®) is currently in short supply due to supplier change, with the estimated next supply date in...
COVID-19: Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) updated with 2024 COVID advice
AIH updated with information about COVID-19, vaccines and recommendations for vaccination The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) has been updated with information about COVID-19, vaccines and recommendations for vaccination. March 2024...
Urgent medicine recall: FLUOXETINE SANDOZ fluoxetine (as hydrochloride) 20mg capsule blister pack
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an urgent medicine recall for FLUOXETINE SANDOZ fluoxetine (as hydrochloride) 20mg capsule blister pack. The product sponsor has been notified that 13 batches have been affected by the N-Nitroso-fluoxetine impurity. Product Details Batch...
HIV medication co-payment waiver
Queensland Health has announced their commitment to achieving virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2030, in support of the UNAIDS HIV targets. UNAIDS is a United Nations global HIV/AIDS program that brings together organisations (including WHO, World Bank, World Food...
Spiriva Respimat® Solution for Inhalation 2.5μg
Spiriva Respimat is used for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema) and asthma. It is sold as an inhalation solution in an inhaler device that counts the doses provided, up to a...
Update - severe heatwave weather warning (Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 January 2024)
A severe heatwave warning has been issued for areas of Queensland (see below list) valid for Wednesday 3 January 2024 to Saturday 6 January 2024. Severe Heatwave Warning for the following Districts:  Peninsula Gulf Country North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Herbert and Lower...
Severe heatwave weather warning (Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 December 2023)
A severe heatwave warning has been issued for areas of Queensland (see below list) valid for Wednesday 27 December 2023 to Saturday 30 December 2023. Severe Heatwave Warning for the following Districts: Herbert and Lower Burdekin Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Districts...
Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure) Arrangements
The Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure) arrangements have been implemented, effective immediately, until 1 March 2024 in response to the flooding disaster in Far North Queensland. The Emergency Measure will allow pharmacists...
Semaglutide compounding safety alert 📢
Semaglutide compounding safety alert   The TGA has published a safety alert about pharmacists compounding semaglutide-like products. In the alert, the TGA highlights:  compounding is reserved for when registered products are unavailable, have failed or are unsuitable for a patient  pharmacists are...
URGENT MEDICAL RECALL
Logiwash Sodium Chloride for Irrigation 0.9%The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been made aware of possible contamination of Sodium Chloride 0.9% manufactured by Legency Remedies Private. This is due to reported cases of Ralstonia pickettii in multiple jurisdictions.Preliminary testing now indicates...
Drug Short List [18.12.23]
Expected Drug Shortages  Over the last week, the TGA announced the following meds are likely to have their supply impacted:  Drugs Returning to Stock These medications have recently become available again (stock can take a few extra days to flow...
Fluoxetine 20mg (Zactin®) Shortage
There is currently a shortage of fluoxetine 20mg dispersible tablets (Zactin®) due to manufacturing issues. Supply issues are expected to continue until 29th February 2024. The TGA has published a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) to allow pharmacists to substitute...
Urgent quarantine notice!!
AEROWASH Eyewash and Wound Irrigation (15 mL & 30 mL)The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been made aware of possible contamination of Sodium Chloride 0.9% products manufactured by Legency Remedies Private. While investigations into this continue, all batches of AEROWASH Eyewash...
Update to Safety Net Early Supply Rule – 60-Day Prescriptions
From 1 December 2023, the PBS Safety Net Early Supply Rule for 60-Day Prescriptions has been updated to a 50-day interval. The current PBS Safety Net Early Supply Rule interval of 20-days will now only apply to 30-Day prescriptions.The early...
The Countdown to Christmas is On! Important Dispatch Information Inside.
🎄 The Countdown to Christmas is On! 🎅  Get ready for a festive season filled with joy and cheer. 🌟 To make your Christmas shopping hassle-free, check out the Auspost lodgement dates. 📆 Secure your preferred stock by placing December...
Drug Short List 20.11.23
Expected Drug Shortages  Over the last week, the TGA announced the following meds are likely to have their supply impacted:      Drugs Returning to Stock These medications have recently become available again (stock can take a few extra days...
Increasing Pertussis Notifications in Queensland
We are currently experiencing an increase in notifications of pertussis across Queensland. Despite routine pertussis vaccination on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), pertussis is still common in Australia with outbreaks experienced every few years. Infants under 6 months of age...