The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7288 p241
28 February 2004

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Products

Prescription Products
• Azathioprine
• Soluble paracetamol
SPC changes
• Zometa formulation
Discontinued products
• Efexor tablets
• Dobutrex solution
• Lamprene
Supply problems
• Hypurin Insulin

Prescription Products

Azathioprine
Azathioprine tablets 25mg are now available from Alpharma; net price, 28 £9.28.

Soluble paracetamol
Paracetamol soluble tablets 500mg are now available from Almus Pharmaceuticals; net price, 100 £4.70.

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SPC changes

Zometa formulation
From 8 March Zometa (zoledronic acid) will be supplied as 4mg/5ml concentrate for solution for infusion instead of a powder and solvent (Novartis). The concentrate must be further diluted with 100ml sterile 0.9 per cent w/v sodium chloride or 5 per cent w/v glucose solution and given as a single 15-minute intravenous infusion as directed by the new SPC. The price of the product is unaffected by this change.

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Discontinued products

Efexor tablets
Efexor (venlafaxine) immediate release tablets 50mg are being discontinued (Wyeth). The company expects stock to be exhausted by July. Other strengths and presentations of Efexor and Efexor XL remain available. For enquiries about existing orders contact Wyeth customer services on 0845 850 5544. For medical information contact 01628 415330.

Dobutrex solution
Dobutrex (dobutamine) solution 250mg/20ml will be discontinued from 1 April (Lilly).

Lamprene
Commercial supply of Lamprene (clofazimine) is being discontinued (Alliance Pharmaceuticals). The company expects stocks to be exhausted in September. Lamprene manufactured by Novartis will remain available on a non-commercial basis from the World Health Organization for the treatment of leprosy.

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Supply problems

Hypurin Insulin
CP Pharmaceuticals says that Hypurin Porcine 3ml cartridges are currently out of stock. Further stock is expected during the first few weeks of March. Hypurin Porcine 1.5ml cartridges and 10ml vials remain available. The Hypurin Bovine insulin 3ml
cartridge range is not affected. Details from CP Pharmaceuticals customer services department on 01978 661261.

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