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
21 July 2020 | Tofranil 25 imipramine hydrochloride 25mg tablet blister pack
Tofranil 25 imipramine hydrochloride 25mg tablet blister pack (AUST R: 60673) is currently unavailable in Australia until 30 November 2020.
Pro Pharmaceuticals Group Pty Ltd advises that Imipramine 25mg tablets are available as Section 19A until 31st December 2020.
Orders can be placed via Pro Pharmaceuticals Group Pty Ltd website or emailing orders@propg.com.au or via Symbion Wholesalers PDE: 692379.
Please visit the TGA website for guidance regarding Section 19A.
15 May 2020 | Nardil Discontinuation - NARDIL phenelzine 15mg (as sulfate) tablet
bottle AUST R 93600
The sponsor of Nardil (phenelzine) tablets in Australia, Link Medical Products Pty Ltd, has notified the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that they have discontinued supply in early April 2020 due to manufacturing issues.
In response to the corresponding shortage, the TGA has authorised the supply of an overseas registered product under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This information is available on the TGA website (search for ‘Nardil’). However, TGA has been advised that this medicine is currently not able to be supplied in Australia.
The TGA advises that supply of phenelzine tablets from overseas may be available via the Special Access Scheme (SAS). Under the SAS, medical practitioners can apply to access an unapproved medicines for an individual patient. Please visit the TGA website, or contact the SAS team via email at SAS@health.gov.au or phone 1800 020 653 for application enquiries. Please note however, that medicine obtained via the SAS is not covered by the PBS.
People taking phenelzine may need to be reviewed and treatment options discussed.
The RANZCP will continue to liaise with the TGA on this matter.
24 April 2020 | Shortage of Nardil (phenelzine) 15mg tablet
Nardil phenelzine 15mg tablet bottle (AUST R: 93600) is currently unavailable in Australia until 31 December 2020.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) advise that an unregistered product has been approved for supply under Section 19A.
Please visit the TGA website for guidance regarding Section 19A.
10 March 2020 | Shortage of Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride)
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) is currently unavailable in Australia, with supply predicted to be impacted until 31 August 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 |
23 January 2020 | Shortage of Nardil phenelzine 15mg tablet
Nardil phenelzine 15mg tablet bottle (AUST R: 93600) are currently unavailable in Australia until 31 December 2020.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) note an unregistered product has been approved for supply under Section 19A.
Please visit the TGA website for guidance regarding Section 19A.
From time to time the RANZCP is notified of changes to New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule or an adverse medicine reaction in New Zealand.
When notifications become available they will be published here.
30 July 2020 | Ritalin sustained release 20mg – discontinuation in New Zealand
Novartis is internationally discontinuing its 20 mg dose of methylphenidate hydrochloride sustained release (brand name Ritalin SR).
Other formulations of Ritalin (Ritalin IR and Ritalin LA) are not impacted by this discontinuation and will continue to be supplied.
PHARMAC has received clinical advice from our Mental Health Subcommittee that Rubifen SR is the most comparable alternative to Ritalin SR.
The advice is that transitioning from Ritalin SR could appropriately be managed in primary care. The clinical advice also suggested that this could be a good time for prescribers to consider the ongoing therapeutic need of this medicine for their patients.
The supplier has decided to discontinue this product – it was not a decision made by PHARMAC.
If you have questions about the discontinuation of Ritalin SR, contact Novartis on 0800 354 335. If you have questions about funding criteria for 20 mg dose of methylphenidate hydrochloride sustained release you can email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz or phone 0800 660 050.
12 May 2020 | Guidance for withdrawal from Phenelzine and switching to another antidepressant
The following has been released regarding phenelzine in NZ:
Guidance for switching from phenelzine to another antidepressant [PDF; KB]
24 April 2020 | Urgent message from PHARMAC re discontinuation of phenelzine (Nardil) tablets
PHARMAC has released the following correspondence regarding the discontinuation of phenelzine tablets in New Zealand. Psychiatrists as prescribers may need support transitioning patients from phenezline to alternative treatment.
Read the letter announcing the discontinuation of phenelzine sulphate 15 mg tablets [PDF; 211 KB]
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."