The
Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7133 p169February 3, 2001
The
Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7133 p169
February 3, 2001
Products |
Labels update |
Prescription Products
Fludara oral tabletsA new formulation of fludarabine phosphate, Fludara oral tablets, has been launched by Schering Health Care. The recommended dose is 40mg fludarabine phosphate per m2 body surface given daily for five consecutive days, every 28 days. The tablets can be taken either on an empty stomach or together with food and have to be swallowed whole with water and not chewed or broken (net price, 10mg 15 £279, 20 £372). Adcal tabletsStrakan is launching Adcal chewable tablets, containing 1,500mg calcium carbonate equivalent to 600mg elemental calcium. The pharmacy only product is available in packs of 100 (net price, £7.25; retail price, £12.76). Menorest patchesThe product licence for Menorest (17b-estradiol) 37.5µg and 75µg transdermal patches has been transferred from Aventis Pharma to Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Information on supplies can be obtained from Novartis’s customer services (tel 0845 741 9442). For medical information contact Novartis (tel 01276 698370). Syprol oral solutionRosemont Pharmaceuticals is launching Syprol (propranolol hydrochloride) oral solution in three strengths, pack size 150ml bottles (net price, 5mg/5ml £13.30, 10mg/5ml £17.50 and 50mg/5ml £21.25). Sandoglobulin suppliesSupplies of Novartis Pharmaceuticals’s Sandoglobulin (normal immunoglobulin for intravenous use) have been reduced in the United Kingdom. This is because the manufacturer of the product, ZLB Bioplasma, is unable to maintain supplies to Novartis globally (see p142 for Novartis advice on managing supply and disruption to patients). Novartis says that deliveries of Sandoglobulin from ZLB Bioplasma, which were expected during December, 2000, were delayed until January, causing an acute problem with meeting demand. This was expected to improve before the end of January. However, Novartis says that it is unable to guarantee meeting all the requirements for this product. A website to disseminate information about the supply problem and help clinicians manage supplies can be found at www.sandoglobulin-supply.co.uk (both user name and password are novartis). Litarex tabletsDumex have withdrawn Litarex (lithium citrate) 564mg modified release tablets. The company currently has an emergency supply of the product, which expires at the end of April, 2001, for which no charge will be made (the company’s customer services can be contacted, tel 0800 373573). The company says that as different lithium preparations vary widely in bioavailability, a change in the preparation used requires the same precautions as for initiation of treatment, including control of serum lithium concentration. Lithium citrate 564mg is equivalent to 222mg lithium carbonate. Bricanyl inhalerAstra Zeneca’s Bricanyl (terbutaline sulphate) 250µg inhaler is out of stock because of a delay in part of the manufacturing process. The company says that normal supply is expected to resume by the middle of February. Information on alternative products can be obtained from the company’s medical information department (tel 0800 783 0033). For inquiries relating to purchasing, contact the company’s customer services (tel 01536 424254). Ocumeter PlusMerck Sharp & Dohme is launching a new dispenser bottle, Ocumeter Plus, for both Trusopt (dorzolamide hydrochloride) eye-drops and Cosopt (timolol maleate) eye-drops. The company says that the dispenser is designed to be easy to handle and squeeze, helping patients to administer one drop of solution at a time. It also has a large cap to allow easy opening and closing. The transparent bottle makes the fluid level easily visible (net price, Trusopt Ocumeter Plus £9.31, Cosopt Ocumeter Plus £13.50). DiscontinuedEli Lilly has discontinued Cinobac 500mg capsules (cinoxacin), pack size 14 Celltech Medeva’s adsorbed tetanus vaccine, 0.5ml ampoules, pack size 5, is being discontinued with immediate effect. The 90-tablet pack size of Xatral 2.5mg tablets (alfuzosin hydrochloride) has been discontinued by Sanofi-Synthelabo, with immediate effect. The 60-tablet pack remains available. |
RecallEpaderm ointment 500gSSL International has recalled Epaderm ointment 500g, batch numbers E0700C and E0700D, expiry date July, 2002. This is because these batches, which should be odourless, have been contaminated with traces of perfume during manufacture. Recipients are requested to quarantine stock of these batches and return it to their supplier for credit or replacement. Further information can be obtained from SSL International (tel 0161 652 2222). |
Labels update
Our monthly update of additions to the British National Formulary list
of cautionary and advisory labels for dispensed medicines follows the
same format as the BNF list. It includes products introduced or amended
since publication of BNF number 40 (September, 2000). This month’s changes
are in bold.
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