Pfizer has responded to a request from the Department of Health to list a new brand of naloxone on the PBS.
The 1 June PBS update confirms that UCB's Naloxone Minijet 400mcg/1mL injection syringe will be deleted from the scheme, replaced by Pfizer's Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL) 400 microgram/mL injection.
Naloxone is used to block the effects of opioids, especially in overdose, and PharmaDispatch understands the prospect of a shortage has been discussed at senior levels of government.
According to a Department of Health spokeswoman, UCB notified the TGA of an anticipated shortage from 1 June. The shortage was published on the Medicine Shortage Information Initiative webpage on 12 May.
The company also advised of its intention to divest the Minijet range of products to another company. The transfer of Naloxone Minijet marketing and sales to another company is in the process of being finalised.
In a statement, Pfizer confirmed the request to list Naloxone came from the Department of Health, "and Hospira (a Pfizer company) has delivered on this request as a responsible supplier of valued medicines to Australia's healthcare system."
