The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7356 p13
2 July 2005

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Products

SPC changes
• Arimidex
• Herceptin
• MabThera
• Tamiflu
• Tavanic
• Videx
Discontinued products
• Detrunorm 28 tablet pack
• Gregoderm
• Zinnat sachets
Supply issues
• Cardura XL
• Wyeth products
Products Miscellany
• Sunsense
• Jevity Promote
• Lipitor packaging
• Neurontin
• Virasorb

SPC changes

Arimidex
The summary of product characteristics for Arimidex (anastrozole; AstraZeneca) has been updated to include an indication for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early invasive breast cancer. See SPC.

Herceptin
The summary of product characteristics for Herceptin (trastuzumab; Roche) has been updated. The shelf life is now three years. See SPC.

MabThera
The summary of product characteristics for MabThera (rituximab; Roche) now includes a precaution regarding hepatitis B reactivation. See SPC.

Tamiflu
The summary of product characteristics for Tamiflu (oseltamivir; Roche) has been updated. The shelf life is now five years. See SPC.

Tavanic
The summary of product characteristics for Tavanic (levofloxacin; sanofi-aventis) has been updated. Tavanic is now additionally indicated for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The dose for this indication is 500mg once daily for 28 days. See SPC.

Videx
The summary of product characteristics for Videx (didanosine; Bristol-Myers Squibb) has been updated to include information on the interaction of Videx with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Detrunorm 28 tablet pack
Detrunorm (propiverine hydrochloride; Amdipharm) 28 tablet packs have been discontinued. Detrunorm 56 tablet packs remain available. Further information is available from medical information on 0870 7777 7675.

Gregoderm
Gregoderm (hydrocortisone and neomycin sulphate; Alliance) ointment has been discontinued. Further information is available from medical information on 01249 466966. Nolvadex Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate; AstraZeneca) 10mg tablets will be discontinued from August. Further information from customer services on 01582 837837.

Zinnat sachets
Zinnat (cefuroxime; GlaxoSmithKline) granules for suspension 125mg sachets are being discontinued. All other presentations remain available. Further information from customer contact centre on 0800 221441.

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Supply issues

Cardura XL
Cardura XL (doxazosin; Pfizer) 4mg tablets are expected to remain out of stock indefinitely. Supply of Cardura XL 8mg tablets is expected to remain at reduced levels. Further information is available from customer services on 01304 616161.

Wyeth products
Wyeth is experiencing shortages of the following products, which it anticipates returning into stock within the next month: Prostap SR (leuprorelin acetate) injection 3.75mg 1 ml, Isovorin (calcium levofolinate) injection 175mg, Isovorin injection 25mg and Premique (conjugated oestrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate) Low Dose tablets. It does not expect to be able to resume supplies of the following products within the next two months: Ovranette (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel), Premique Cycle, Novantrone (mitoxantrone) 20mg in 10ml presentation, 25mg in 12.5ml presentation, and 30mg in 15ml presentation, Zoton (lansoprazole) suspension 30mg sachets and HeliMet triple pack (lansoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole tablets). Further information is available from customer services on 0845 330 0509 or via www.wyeth.co.uk.

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Products Miscellany

Sunsense
The marketing and distribution of Sunsense sun protection range has been transferred to Crawford Pharmaceuticals. Further details on 01908 262346.

Jevity Promote
Abbott Laboratories has launched Jevity Promote, a liquid tube feed with fibre and fructo-oligosaccharides providing 1.0kcal/ml. It is available in 1L ready-to-hang containers. The product is Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances approved. Net price, 8 x 1L £64.00.

Lipitor packaging
Lipitor (atorvastatin;Pfizer), formerly packaged in Warner Lambert livery, will now appear in standard Pfizer livery. Prices and order multiples remain unchanged. Details from Pfizer customer services on 01304 645262.

Neurontin
Neurontin (gabapentin) will change to standard Pfizer livery from July. Further information from Pfizer customer services on 01304 645262.

Virasorb
Virasorb cold sore cream (aciclovir 5 per cent; Thornton & Ross) has been reclassified as a general sale list product. Recommended retail price 2g £3.99.

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