Ranolazine shortage?

[bee_bear]

My local chemist told me today that they're struggling to get hold of Ranolazine. He didn't say why.

Is anyone else having this problem? Anyone know why there might be an issue?

[francesw47]

I understand that there are supply line problems again. I also take Ranolazine and this time have one box Ranexa and one box of ranolazine manufactured by a different drug company. My pharmacist has recently changed to a central dispensing point which makes it more time consuming but so far there have been no problems with getting my meds - but they are never the same brand. Presumably there is also a cost saving involved. I wonder about the role of our local pharmacist - or are they going to be more able to speak to customers and proffer advice as per gvt wishes to reduce pressure on GP surgeries? What gets me is the lack of communication about it all.

[jaymamel in reply to francesw47]

i am also taking Ranolazine,I have no issue getting from my chemist.I am taking 375 mg twice a day.But recently I have stent put in and i dont know if still i have to take twice a day.

My doctor didnt reduce any of my medications

[Seal59]

My husband doesn’t have that tablet but it seems every time he goes to collect his prescription there is a supply issue with at least one of his tablets. Last time he had to ring round 4 chemists to find one who could complete his order.

[Alison_L]

I regularly have problems getting my Carvedilol. The pharmacist just says “supply problems”, and they get them back in after a week or so.

[Davey77]

Drug shortages are becoming a regular thing. Last month Atorvastatin 80mg was out of stock with no delivery date. They got customers to get their prescriptions changed to 40mg, then promptly ran out of stock of them. Luckily I had a 2 week buffer stock. Although I've now been taken off it for a month while they investigate a possible Achilles problem mentioned by someone in another thread here

[Deejay62]

There seems to be a problem with a lot of meds. I’ve been told there’s a problem with Bumetanide until January.

[MustyK]

To some extent it also depends on the Pharmacy company (and there are several!!). I have been on Ranolazine for a good few years; and I have not experienced a supply issue on this medicine. I know that there are few supply shortages with other medicines but they tend to be either the less critical meds, or only for 3 to 4 days. Pharmacies tend to try to source the generic meds and avoid the branded ones because of cost. If you are desperate for meds, you can ask them to get you the branded ones (at their cost).

[Frogman53]

Iv'e been on Ranexa 500mg and 750mg for about seven years and have not had any problems so far. I suppose it all depends where the chemist get their stock from.

[bee_bear]

Thanks everyone. The picture I'm getting from you all is that it's likely the pharmacist that is the block here.

To be honest my rural GP surgery hadn't even heard of Ranolazine before me being put on it by my cardiologist and the local chemist hadn't ever had it in before. So I suppose it's not surprising.

I'll just make sure I order my repeat prescription super early each time!