The national EpiPen shortage could have been avoided if there was another adrenaline injector on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
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That is the message from Tasmanian branch president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia John Dowling.
Mr Dowling said the guild wanted an EpiPen alternative called Adrenaject, made by Sun Pharma, added to the federal government scheme.
“We’ve been supporting another brand to be put on [the PBS], because it’s not tenable that one company has a problem with supply,” he said.
“There’s been some objection, because it’s got a slightly different mode of use, so therefore pharmacists would need to make sure they tell people it will be slightly different.
“The government said they’re looking at it.”
A national shortage on the adrenaline injector was reported by Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia in January after American manufacturer Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company, suffered a manufacturing delay.
Tasmania has been hit by the shortage, with EpiPens scarcely available in pharmacies until March 2.
“We’ve been affected, and we’ve had several customers trying to source some, because they only have out of date ones on-hand,” Priceline Launceston pharmacist Shannon Copping said.
“An alternative would be helpful to makes these out of stock issues better and to allow for continuity of care for the patient.”
The Thereapeutic Goods Administration classifies medicines for the PBS.
“Adrenaject… [is] not currently marketed in Australia by [Sun Pharma],” a TGA spokeswoman said.
“Adrenaject is on the agenda for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee March meeting.”
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
