Allegron distributor Aspen Pharmacare aims to ensure continuous supplies of the anti-depressant are available to patients with the appointment of Sigma Pharmaceuticals as the medicine's new manufacturer.
The move follows the recall of a single batch of Allegron 25mg (batch 82440) made by Pan Pharmaceuticals. It was the only prescription drug affected by the Pan crisis.
Aspen Pharmacare Managing Director Mr Greg Lan said the company had been working urgently to produce new supplies to minimise the impact of the recall on patients.
"In addition to appointing Sigma, we have been able to fly in raw materials and to retrieve important tooling from Pan Pharmaceuticals, allowing us to begin manufacturing quckly. The Therapeutics Goods Administration also assisted by expediting approval for the new manufacturing site," he said.
"Our goal is to provide new supplies of Allegron 10mg tablets in six weeks and Allegron 25mg tablets in two months."
Mr Lan said there are adequate existing stocks of Allegron 10mg tablets made in Spain to meet patient needs for up to seven weeks. There are still stocks of unaffected Allegron 25mg in Aspen's warehouse and in pharmacies and wholesalers, but some stockists will run out of the 25mg tablets over the next few weeks.
"There is likely to be a temporary shortage of 25mg supplies. Patients should first check other pharmacies in their area for supply. Alternatively, patients can ask their doctors to arrange for them to obtain a supply of Allegron 10mg and if necessary adjust the dose," he said.
Aspen Pharmacare intends to hold emergency stocks of Allegron 25mg to be released on a compassionate basis.
Any patients concerned about their medication should see their doctor or psychiatrist.
*Allegron is a tricyclic anti-depressant. For many patients it is the most appropriate medication for stabilising their condition. Some 65,000 scripts were written for Allegron last year.
