Department of Health advice on Synacthen shortage

There is currently a shortage of tetracosactide 250 mg injection. The sole licensed UK supplier, Mallinckrodt, does not expect to be able to supply this product again until March 2019.The Department of Health has confirmed the product has been sourced, however, stock is limited across Europe. Please find an overview of the stock information below.Clinigen - Stock is expected on 25th January 2019 and will be over labelled. This stock is available in packs of 10.Mawdsleys - Stock is expected on 27th January.Alium– Ordering soon but there is a lead time of 3-4 weeks.Durbin - Stock has been received for this product but has been allocated to orders, no further orders placed as no hospital orders have been received.One the Society’s Consultant Endocrinologists advises:“We have had to resort to the Italian preparation. It is approx.£60 per vial vs.£45 for the Mallinckrodt. To reduce the need for testing we are, however, using basal 0800-0900 serum cortisol with a cut-off of 350nmol/L as being consistent with normal cortisol function, based on the current newer cortisol immunoassay lower read.”
Source: Society for Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: news