From time to time the RANZCP is notified of shortages of reportable medicines in Australia.
This page lists current alerts received from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), together with actions you can take to manage the shortage.
For more information and to subscribe to updates, see the TGA’s Medicine Shortages Information Initiative.
If you know of a shortage, you can tell the College by emailing ranzcp@ranzcp.org
14 October 2019 | Updated - Shortage of Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate)
The RANZCP has been advised that some commercial medication suppliers have depleted their supplies of alternate products which were available under section 19A.
For more information regarding availability under the special access scheme, see the Therapeutic Goods Authority’s (TGA) Medicine Shortages Information Initiative.
28 August 2019 | Shortage of Lumin (Mianserin hydrochloride)
Lumin 10 Mianserin hydrochloride 10mg tablet blister pack (AUST R: 55272) and Lumin 20 Mianserin hydrochloride 20mg tablet blister pack (AUST R: 55273) are currently unavailable in Australia.
The Therapeutic Goods Authority (TGA) have approved supply of an unregistered product under section 19A.
The following commercial medication suppliers have been able to arrange limited supplies of alternative products on a temporary basis:
- Medsurge – Mianserin 10mg film coated tablets (UK) – see Medsurge advisory letter [PDF; 180 KB] for further information about the approved product.
This product is not registered in Australia and supply is authorised under an approval granted by the TGA under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act (1989) until 29 February 2020 for the following indication:
For the treatment of major depression.
Further information can be obtained from Medsurge – 1300 788 261 or email sales@medsurge.com.au
For patients taking Lumin, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medication.
19 August 2019 | Shortage of Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate)
Parnate tranylcypromine (as sulphate) 10mg film coated tablet blister pack (AUST R: 174086) is currently unavailable in Australia with supply predicted to be impacted until November 2019.
The Therapeutic Goods Authority (TGA) have approved supply of an unregistered product under section 19A.
The following commercial medication suppliers have been able to arrange limited supplies of alternative products on a temporary basis:
- BNM Group - Tranylcypromine 10mg tablets (Concordia Pharmaceuticals) – see BNM advisory letter [PDF; 221 KB] for further information about the approved product.
- Medsurge - Tranylcypromine sulfate 10mg film coated tablets (Alvogen Inc) – see Medsurge advisory letter [PDF; 298 KB] for further information about the approved product.
These products are not registered in Australia and supply is authorised under an approval granted by the TGA under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act (1989) until 1 December 2019 for the following indication:
Treatment of symptoms of depressive illness especially where treatment with other types of antidepressants has failed. It is not recommended for use in mild depressive states resulting from temporary situational difficulties.
Further information can be obtained from
For more information and to subscribe to updates, see the TGA’s Medicine Shortages Information Initiative.
For patients taking Parnate, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medication.
24 July 2019 | Shortage of Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride)
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) is currently unavailable in Australia, with supply predicted to be impacted until March 2020.
To obtain alternative unapproved products, psychiatrists can apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) via the Special Access Scheme (Category B).
The College has been notified that the following suppliers have sourced alternative products. For more information on how to order this alternative supply, please contact them directly.
| Symbion SAS |
Tel: 1300 012 686 |
| Medsurge |
Tel: 1300 788 261 |
The application form can be found on the Special Access Scheme page of the TGA website.
From time to time the RANZCP is notified of shortages of reportable medicines in New Zealand.
When alerts become available they will be published here.
1 November 2019 | New Zealand Transport Agency - Funded brand of Epilepsy medication (Lamotrigine)
The New Zealand Transport Agency has released the following advice about driving, following the change to funded brands of lamotrigine:
"Pharmac has recently announced there will be changes to funded brands of epilepsy medication, effective 1 October 2019.
The Transport Agency’s primary concern is road safety, and while we will not be enforcing a mandatory stand-down period from driving as we do when licence holders undergo a withdrawal of treatment, as a precaution we will be recommending that health practitioners whose patients have or will be transferring brands consider a voluntary stand down from driving during the eight-week early transition period after switching medications, should they have any concerns when considering an individual patient’s medical history and other relevant factors.
Additionally, we encourage anyone with concerns about the potential side effects as a consequence of changing brands to consult with their health practitioner or specialist before continuing to drive. Health professionals are often best placed to make a determination in respect of a person’s driving ability, by considering the patient’s medical history and other relevant factors that may only be known by their health practitioner."