Doxorubicin (Doxorubicin Ebewe) inj 2 mg per ml: Supply issue resolved
Sandoz has notified us of a supply issue with doxorubicin inj 2 mg per ml, 100 ml vial (pharmacode 2224100) and inj 2 mg per ml, 25 ml vial (pharmacode 2224089).
Update 5 April 2023
Stock has arrived and has been released.
Update 31 March 2023
The s29 alternative brand is now available for supply.
About the affected product
The supply issue was caused by a manufacturing issue.
Doxorubicin
- Brand: Doxorubicin Ebewe
- Presentation: inj 2 mg per ml, 100 ml vial
- Pharmacode: 2224100
- Brand: Doxorubicin Ebewe
- Presentation: inj 2 mg per ml, 25 ml vial
- Pharmacode: 2224089
Schedule listings for doxorubicin(external link)
HML listings for doxorubicin(external link)
Supply status
Stock in the supply chain was critically low. We understood that third-party compounders and some hospitals had limited stock on hand.
Resupply expected mid-April 2023
Sandoz advised that Doxorubicin Ebewe - inj 2 mg per ml, 100 ml vial - will be available again by mid-April 2023.
Alternative products
We sourced an additional supply of a section 29 product. This brand has regulatory approval in Australia. It has Australian-approved labelling.
- Brand: Accord
- Presentation: inj 2 mg per ml, 100 ml vial
- Pharmacode: 2655446
It was listed on the Schedule from 1 April 2023. It was available towards the end of the week starting 27 March 2023.
Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine
Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor.
We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link)
Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)
Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)
What patients need to know about section 29 medicines – Health Navigator website(external link)
Who to contact
If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
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