Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

Key Medicine Shortages – June 2023

Monthly Update

  1. Bromfenac (Yellox®) 900micrograms/ml eye drops – there is a current shortage with an anticipated resolve date of early July 2023.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information on alternative agents and links to the Medicine Supply Alert Notice.

  2. Clomifene (Clomid®) 50mg tablets – Clomid® 50mg tablets are expected to be out of stock until mid-September 2023. Generic clomifene 50mg tablets will be able to partially uplift demand until the end of July 2023.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information on the management of this supply issue.

  3. Disulfiram 200mg tablets – there is a current shortage with no confirmed resolve date.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information and links to a memo.

  4. GLP-1 receptor agonists: Semaglutide tablets (Rybelsus®), Semaglutide injection (Ozempic®), Dulaglutide injection (Trulicity®), Liraglutide injection (Victoza®) – there are ongoing supply problems with the above GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is expected that there will be no stock available for the rest of 2023 and possibly beyond.
    Please refer to the memo from the Diabetes MCN on StaffNet for further advice and information.

  5. Ethinylestradiol 20microgram/Drospirenone 3mg (Eloine®) tablets – Eloine® tablets are expected to be out of stock until late August 2023.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information on alternative agents.

  6. Glucagon 1mg powder for injection kit (GlucaGen®) – there is an upcoming supply problem with Glucagon that is expected to last for 4 weeks from mid-June 2023 to mid- July 2023.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information and links to a NHSGGC memo.

  7. Insulin degludec (Tresiba®) FlexTouch 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens – it is anticipated that Insulin degludec (Tresiba®) Flextouch will be out of stock from August 2023 until January 2024.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information and links to the Medicine Supply Alert Notice.

  8. Micronised Progesterone (Utrogestan®) 100mg capsules – supplies of Micronised Progesterone (Utrogestan®) 100mg capsules will be intermittent for the remainder of 2023. To ensure that all patients have access to treatment, a Serious Shortage Protocol has been issued.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information and links to the Medicine Supply Notification and the Serious Shortage Protocol.

  9. Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) tablets – Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) 300mg and 600mg tablets are expected to be out of stock until mid-July 2023. Generic oxcarbazepine 300mg and 600mg tablets remain available.

    Please refer to the advice on StaffNet for information and links to the Medicine Supply Notification.

 

Why do medicine shortages occur?
Medicine shortages occur for a variety of reasons, including difficulties sourcing raw materials, product recalls for safety reasons, changes to licence holder, and changes to pack sizes.
It is vitally important that medicine shortages are monitored and appropriate actions taken, to minimise impact on patient care.

 

Where can I find further advice and information on medicine supply problems and shortages?
For the most up-to-date advice and information please refer to Current Medicine Supply Problems and Shortages page on StaffNet.

 

Published 26/06/2023. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.

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