Dabigatran shortage

[Rcarter]

Hi all first post from a new member. Is there a national shortage of Dabigatran? I am having constant trouble finding the medicine for my repeat prescriptions. Bedfordshire UK

[CDreamer]

My husband had this problem a few months ago - I will try find the link. Nothing to do with shortages but everything to do with distribution. Many of the big chains such as Tesco won’t stock it any more.

[CDreamer]

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

The crux is the company who manufactures & distributes the drug is a German company called Phoenix - they own the Pharmacy chain Rowlands in the UK - they favour their own pharmacies so the other big chains are tending not to stock. You should be able to get it from independents or Rowlands.

[rjr681]

For the last few months I've had it in different packages, some of which had a new English label stuck over what I think was a Polish one and they were in a plastic bottle, not individual tablets in a strip as the usual ones were.

[Rcarter]

Sounds a bit suspect!

[Davebe]

I have been taking Dabigatran since January 2013 after a subdural haemorrhage. The ones I was taking were unsuitable. I have never had any trouble with supply. I order my repeat prescription with a few to go on with, which will give the pharmacy time to look for some. I use Rowlands that is a good company. They are delivered in either bottle or strip, and I transfer the ones in strip to the bottle. Dave

[CDreamer in reply to Davebe]

That’s why you don’t have any problems - Rowlands are owned by Phoenix which is the licensed distributor in the UK. It is the the other larger chains you will encounter difficulty with because they haven’t struck a deal with Phoenix.

[Davebe in reply to CDreamer]

I see. I've used the same shop since leaving the army in 1978 when it was an old fashioned family business. Rowlands have now got a second shop about it quarter of a mile away, and yes a very good company. Dave

[Rcarter in reply to Davebe]

Yep I have tried that too but still had the problems. I have now been prescribed apixaban so May be that will solve the problem!