PHARMACISTS can expect to continue to see supply shortages of amoxicillin throughout Nov, with "no clear end date" in sight, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, warns.
Speaking on 7 News last night, Tassone noted that shortages of the antibiotic included "children's formulations... and also tablets and capsules for adults".
"This is very frustrating for patients, pharmacies and prescribers - particularly given how commonly amoxicillin is prescribed and that it is for acute illness," Tassone said.
He told Pharmacy Daily that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted approval for amoxicillin products not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) to be distributed under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, to combat the current shortages.
"But even these are in short supply now given the ongoing demand and scarce supply," he said.
"In the meantime, pharmacies continue to work with prescribers collaboratively to recommend alternative amoxicillin products of a different dose form or antibiotic product if there is no amoxicillin product available to ensure patients obtain the treatment they need," he said.
"Pharmacies are encouraged to liaise with their local GPs to inform them of currently experienced stock shortages that are causing particular concerns for patient access.
"We hope that with the strategic agreements that have been struck between the Federal Government and Medicines Australia and the Generic Biosimilars Association of Australia (GBMA) with the obligation of increased on-shore stock holdings from Apr 2023 for a range of low cost but high volume Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed medicines, that going forward such stock shortages will be less frequent and shorter in duration."
Meanwhile, Tassone warned that ongoing supply shortages of diabetes medication, Ozempic (semaglutide) could continue into 2023, following the highly publicised spike in off-label prescribing of the drug for weight-loss patients.
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