Luborant artificial saliva spray is currently unavailable. The situation was highlighted by Miss Helen Davis (senior medicines information pharmacist, North West medicines information centre, Liverpool), who told The Journal on August 14 that this was a problem because Luborant was the only proprietary artificial saliva product prescribable on dental prescription. In addition, it was the only proprietary product allowable against prescriptions written as "artificial saliva DPF".
According to Antigen Pharmaceuticals, there are formulation problems with Luborant and it is likely to remain unavailable for the rest of this year.
The Prescription Pricing Authority says that extemporaneously dispensed products will be reimbursed, as will products prepared by specials manufacturers or generic products with the same formulation, if they can be obtained.
Miss Davis suggested that other options included recommending measures such as taking frequent sips of cold water or using sugar-free gum and pastilles. Alternatively, patients could purchase, or the patient's general practitioner could prescribe, other brands of artificial saliva.