Products

Prescription Products Amiodarone injection Klaricid paediatric suspension Merck stocks Discontinued Water for injections Recall Elleste-Duet 2mg tablets Counter medicines Beconase Allergy Miscellany Fresenius Kabi products Nappies Lung conditions booklet Suppliers Price changes

Prescription Products Amiodarone injection Amiodarone injection 30mg/ml, available in a 10ml prefilled syringe, has been launched by Aurum Pharmaceuticals. This preparation is primarily intended for emergency treatment and where a rapid response is required. For emergency treatment of sustained ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia in adults and children over 12 years, an intravenous injection of 150mg to 300mg over a period of more than three minutes is recommended. A second injection should not be given for at least 15 minutes (net price, 10ml £10). Klaricid paediatric suspension Abbott Laboratories will now be supplying 70ml bottles of Klaricid paediatric suspension 125mg/5ml in packs of 20 bottles (net price, £120) rather than packs of 12. The company says that the change will take place during the next two weeks or as soon as stocks are exhausted. Merck stocks Products of Merck Generics (Generics [UK]) are unaffected by any supply issues affecting Merck Pharmaceuticals's products (PJ, Feb 10, p199). Discontinued Novartis Pharmaceuticals will be discontinuing Anafranil syrup (clomipramine) 25mg/5ml as soon as stocks are exhausted. The company says that this is expected to be during May 3M Health care will be discontinuing Calcisorb (sodium cellulose phosphate) 5g sachets from March 10 Boehringer Ingelheim's Berotec 100 and 200 inhalers (fenoterol hydrobromide) and Alupent inhaler and refill (orciprenaline sulphate) are now no longer available (PJ, December 16, 2000, p898). The products have been discontinued following the transition to CFC-free inhalers. Alupent syrup and tablets continue to be available. Water for injections Baxter Healthcare has launched sterile water for injections in a new, Viaflo intravenous container. The company says that the container consists of a polyolefine-based material and has an inert layer which is in contact with the delivery solution. The inert layer is compatible with a wide range of solutions and drugs and the company plans to release more products with this new system (net price, 100ml £1.12, 1,000ml £2.34). Back to Top

Recall Elleste-Duet 2mg tablets Shire Pharmaceutical Contracts is recalling Elleste-Duet 2mg tablets, pack size 3 x 28, batch number 537090, expiry date August, 2003. The product was distributed by Pharmacia and packed in the livery of Searle Division of Monsanto. Pharmacia has discovered that, because of a packaging error, days 1-12 of the calendar pack contain combination tablets of estradiol 2mg and norethisterone acetate 1mg, and days 13-28 contain estradiol 2mg tablets. Correct calendar packs should contain estradiol 2mg tablets for days 1-16 and combination tablets of estradiol 2mg and norethisterone acetate 1mg for days 17-28. Recipients are requested to quarantine stock of this batch and return it to their supplier for credit. Further information can be obtained from customer services, Pharmacia (tel 01908 603888). Back to Top

Counter medicines Beconase Allergy The name of Glaxo Smithkline's Beconase Allergy nasal spray has been changed to Beconase Hayfever. The packaging has also been redesigned. Back to Top

Miscellany Fresenius Kabi products Fresenius Kabi has added Fresubin 1200 Complete to its range of enteral nutrition tube feeds. The product, which is Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) approved, contains a mixed-fibre blend of fermentable fibre (inulin and resistant starch) and non-fermentable fibre (oatgrain). The company says that Fresubin 1200 Complete has been formulated for less active adult patients on long-term feeding and is nutritionally complete in 1,200kcal (net price, 1,500ml Easybag £10.40). The company has also introduced Structolipid 20 per cent, a parenteral nutrition feed which provides a source of essential fatty acids (net price, 500ml £16.05). Nappies Procter & Gamble is launching Pampers New Baby with Total Care nappies. The company says that the nappies, which are designed to absorb and contain "messy poo" as well as urine, are available in size 1 (for babies weighing 2-5kg) (retail prce, 28 £3.78, 56 £7.49) and size 2 (for babies weighing 3-6kg) (retail price, 36 £5.56, 64 £7.49). Lung conditions booklet The British Lung Foundation has launched a "Going on holiday with a lung condition" booklet. Copies of the booklet can be obtained by sending a stamp addressed envelope to the British Lung Foundation, 78 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LD. A donation to cover postage and packaging costs is not essential but would be gratefully received. Suppliers Pharmacybargains is adding PIF Medical Supplies to its list of suppliers. The company's internet site can be found at www.pharmacybargains.com. Back to Top

Price changes The price changes given below are in pounds and pence, light type indicating the price to pharmacists excluding VAT and heavy type the price to the public including VAT. In the case of medicines dispensed on a doctor's prescription, VAT is not charged to the patient. Leo Pharmaceuticals (decreased from March 1) Dovonex cream 30g £7.19, 60g £14.38; ointment 30g £7.19, 60g £14.38 (increased from March 1) Dovonex cream 120g £28.76; ointment 120g £28.76, 240g £57.52. Back to Top

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