WEEKEND newspaper reports yesterday warned hospitals are being forced to "stockpile, ration and use back-up treatments" due to a national shortage of first-line antibiotics.
Vancomycin, aciclovir and metronidazole are currently in short supply, the articles claim, with Professor Peter Collignon from the Australian National University quoted as saying the situation is "absolutely unacceptable".
A Pfizer spokesperson said the interruption of supply was due to "increased demand as a result of other manufacturers and distributors exiting the market or experiencing their own supply disruptions on their medicines".
Pfizer also noted the complexity of injectable manufacturing, adding it took time to respond to changes such as competitor disruptions and market withdrawals.
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