A NATIONWIDE shortage of some common antibiotics highlights how fragile Australia's supply chain is, said the Pharmacy Guild President, Trent Twomey (pictured).
"Several drugs used to treat pneumonia, strep throat, and other infections are in short supply or aren't available at all, forcing many pharmacists to opt for alternatives," he said in an ABC Radio interview this week.
Twomey added that Australia represents just a small market for foreign drug companies.
"Unfortunately; the situation is getting worse for medicines.
"It is a direct result of the fact that we don't make stuff in Australia anymore.
"We are only 2% of the medication market globally.
"We are not really an important market for these global manufacturers," he concluded.
The shortage of oral amoxicillin and cefalexin products continues despite the TGA's decision to make two Serious Scarcity Substitution Instruments (SSSIs) late last year.
Each SSSI allows a pharmacist to dispense a substitute product containing the same active ingredient to a patient when the prescribed product is unavailable, without prior approval from the prescriber, under certain conditions, the TGA reported.
If the amoxicillin product a patient was prescribed is unavailable, the pharmacist may give them a different strength or form of amoxicillin; and similarly, for cefalexin.
The SSSI allows a pharmacist to offer to the patient or their carer:
* an alternative amoxicillin syrup or suspension strength when the prescribed one is unavailable;
* amoxicillin 250mg capsules or 1g tablets if the prescribed 500mg capsules are unavailable;
* amoxicillin 250mg or 500mg capsules if the prescribed 1g tablets are unavailable.
The SSSI is in force from 06 Dec 2022 until 31 May 2023.
The TGA may, however, revoke the SSSI before its end date if the serious scarcity is resolved, or safety concerns are identified.
This SSSI is in effect in all states and territories.
For more information on antibiotics shortages and their substitutions CLICK HERE.
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