HAS ANYBODY GOT A PROBLEM WITH BEING PRESCRIBED HEPARIN DUE TO A SHORTAGE ?

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2008 with APS and after several attempts with Warfarin Prof Khamashta put me on Clexane Heparin injections for life. I went to my GP for my monthly presription and the GP said I could no longer have them as the warehouse have no stock !! They have put me on Tinziparin injections new dosage etc. I explained that I am under supervision at St Thomas & Guys at the Lupus Centre and that they would have to discuss other options with them. They contacted my local hospital a month ago as London advised they speak with my local hospital. I am concerned as London Lupus Centre have not got involved who look after my medicine and my wellbeing and that my local hospital have not replied to my local GP yet. I am worried that I might be on an incorrect substitute as my old Doctors had to be educated on APS by myself as they are not Blood Experts. I delivered from London leaflets to place in their surgery and explained to my GP what APS was all about !! How scary is that ??? Has anybody else had a problem with receiving Heparin Clexane injections and does anyone have information as to what the shortage is all about as nobody can inform me of what is going on with this medication.

[HollyHeski Administrator]

I appreciate your concerns - I would contact the Lupus centre yourself and try and speak to anticoagulation or Lupus nurse, explaining your concerns and request they help.

Good luck xx

[SueLovett in reply to HollyHeski]

Yes I have also had problems getting Clexane and my local hospital had to switch to Tinzaparin. The last 2 prescriptions have been OK but previous to that the pharmacy were only able to get 10 at a time. They tried to get to the bottom of what is going on but without success. I am at Guys on Friday and will ask if they can shed any light on this.

[rlupus]

Hi I am in essex and so far I have had no problem getting heparin , what area are you in ?

[MLNC]

I had problems with my enoxaparin sodium (LMWH) script for the first time a month ago. I was told it is a problem throughout the NHS and it has to do with a failure to agree pricing. Apparently, a lot of drugs are impacted. I was changed to a different brand of enoxaparin sodium which seems to have been uneventful so far.

[Hughes-Comrade]

In USA my major retailer told me they weren’t going to stock it anymore, but they could ship it to me. So I will now be getting it direct from hospital.