TGA
Roche Products Pty Limited (Roche Australia) have announced that the shortages of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) tocilizumab (Actemra) has been resolved and supplies have returned to normal pre-pandemic levels.
The TGA and Roche Australia wish to acknowledge the support of the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) and Arthritis Australia (AA) in minimising the impact on patients during the shortage period. We would also like to thank patients, healthcare professionals and pharmacists affected for their patience and understanding.
Information for patients
- You may resume, switch back to or start the appropriate tocilizumab (Actemra) medicine according to the advice of your doctor.
- Normal ordering processes for all tocilizumab (Actemra) medicines have resumed and stock is available for all patients.
Information for prescribers
- The Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) has ceased to have effect and the TGA shortage notification for the SC preparations of tocilizumab (Actemra) has been resolved.
- Patients may resume, switch back to or start IV or SC tocilizumab (Actemra) as appropriate.
- Patients can be advised that there is now ample supply of tocilizumab (Actemra) and stockpiling is unnecessary.
- Prescribers will be notified as soon as the Actemra SC sampling program resumes in August 2022.
Information for pharmacists
- The Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) has ceased to have effect and the TGA shortage notification for the SC preparations of tocilizumab (Actemra) has been resolved.
- Patients may resume, switch back to or start IV or SC tocilizumab (Actemra) as appropriate on the advice of their treating physician.
- Normal ordering processes for all tocilizumab (Actemra) medicines have resumed and stock is available for all patients.
- Patients can be advised that there is now ample supply of tocilizumab (Actemra) and stockpiling is unnecessary.
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