The HSANZ has urged prescribers to prepare mitigation strategies and communicate with patients. See the video.
An “unexpected increase in consumer demand” may lead to a critical shortage of pegylated interferon alfa-2a, the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand has warned.
The HSANZ has urged prescribers to prepare mitigation strategies and communicate with patients to minimise treatment disruption. The treatment is known as Pegasys and is distributed in Australia by Echo Therapeutics.
TGA documents show one of the dosages of the medication (peginterferon alfa-2a 180 micrograms/0.5mL injection pre-filled syringe) went into shortage on 13 May due to an “unexpected increase in consumer demand”.
It is listed as having “limited availability”, with the shortage expected to end on 30 September.
The other dosage (peginterferon alfa-2a 135 micrograms/0.5mL injection pre-filled syringe) is expected to go into shortage from 1 June for the same reason. It is currently listed as “available”, with the shortage also expected to end on 30 September.
Pegasys is a key treatment for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and other blood disorders.
The HSANZ has also advised haematologists to avoid initiating new patients on Pegasys and to begin personalised planning for existing patients to preserve supply and prevent disease progression.
“HSANZ MPN Specialist leads as the largest haematology group prescribers of Pegasys have begun discussions and coordination of mitigative strategies to maximise utility of prescribed supply of Pegasys,” said society president Associate Professor Hui-Peng Lee.
The HSANZ has also released a video from Dr Cecily Forsyth offering expert guidance on adapting prescribing practices in response to the anticipated shortage.
“Please note that patients should be strongly encouraged to discuss with their primary haematologists before utilising any change to their prescription or delivery,” said Professor Lee.
The HSANZ is also inviting healthcare professionals to reach out for support and is collaborating with partner organisations to disseminate timely updates. Latest news can be accessed here.
In an update posted on its website on 25 March, Echo Therapeutics managing director Jude D’Silva wrote that the company had “undertaken significant measures to extend available supply”, amidst the supply shortage that many other countries have been facing.
“Presently, we are down to just under three months’ supply, with no definitive timeline of when replenishment stock of Australian labelled Pegasys will become available,” he wrote.
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“While we are hopeful that there will be no significant supply interruption, we are mitigating with options such as supplying foreign-labelled stock under section 19A of the TGA Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to ensure patients can continue to access treatment.
“In the unlikely event of a protracted shortage, we seek your assistance with treatment management strategies for newly initiated and existing patients. Overseas, there have been examples of alternative dosing being considered, or even delaying starting new patients on Pegasys.”
Echo Therapeutics have been contacted for updated comment.
