Zentiva shortage again?

[Barbara17]

Hello. I’ve just tried to pick up my Zentiva hydroxychloroquine prescription and they are again having problems in obtaining supplies. I’ve no problems for the last few years so this is quite a surprise. Has anyone else had problems recently? And there was a helpline number posted a couple of years ago, is that still valid? Hope someone can help.

[PMRpro]

It will probably depend on where is it made now. Last spring it was all made outside the UK:

pharmaceutical-journal.com/...

Their aim was to have it in the NE by October - who knows if they met their deadline - and that is likely to result in hiccups with deliveries to suppliers. Something similar occured with one particular version of prednisolone which was unobtainable for a few months even after the deadline the company had quoted had passed.

And of course - did they change their mind when the hydroxychloroquine "wonderdrug for Covid" myth was busted? If so, there are probably a lot of packets stuck in containers in somewhere like Felixstowe ...

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Barbara17,

We are not aware of any manufacturing or supply issues of Zentiva hydroxychloroquine in the UK at the moment.

If your pharmacist has any difficulty obtaining generic hydroxychloroquine produced by Zentiva, the product description is: "HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULFATE (ZENTIVA) 200MG FILM COATED" and the PIP number (product code) is 1201730. If for any reason they cannot find the product on their system they can ring the customer service line on 0844 8793 188.

Best wishes,

Chanpreet

[Barbara17 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you so much for your speedy reply. I’ll pass this number on to the pharmacist.

[Olderkitten in reply to Barbara17]

Hi again, so far I haven't had a problem getting hydroxychlorquine but I live in Texas. I know it became scarce when the Pandemic started but I also think since the pharmacist knows I who takes it maybe kept some aside....

[ForestCat7 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

HiI have had the same problem with normal chemist and having experienced this before asked at different chemists. They all phone up suppliers and said they can’t get them even with code. Managed to get one box sent through which one of their other branches had but they said it could be 2-3 months before next supply?!?

Just css as me on here to see if it was just me

[Barbara17 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Hello Chanpreet. I’m delighted to say that I picked up my Zentiva yesterday! Not sure where they tracked it down however I had a chat with the new pharmacist explaining how important the particular brand can be and I gave her the information you supplied. Thanks again

[LalSD in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Chanpreet, we also could not get ours, have been told it is out of stock at the moment. We never had problems before, i thought it was a local issue but i think there is a problem with the supply since we were given a complete new drug which we never tried before, and had to swap it for Bristol given the choice. With best, Lale

[Gardenpots in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Charnpreet there are problems getting Zentiva brand here too. My Chemist uses a number of suppliers too.

[sophia_h in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

I'm having problems getting Zentiva hydroxychloroquine as well. My pharmacist still can't get it from anywhere.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK in reply to sophia_h]

Hi sophia_h , Gardenpots and LalSD . Thank you for letting me know, I will forward this message on and see if we receive an update about this supply issue.

[LalSD in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you so much.

[Star13]

I have also had a problem and called Zentiva who eventually called me back after 48 hours last week. They said there is/was a national shortage but were expecting deliveries to go to Alliance wholesalers at the end of last week. Therefore ask your pharmacy to check with Alliance as they are the only wholesaler to get it.

The other thing that does not seem to have been highlighted is that pharmacy’s complain they don’t get paid if they order it. This is because the drug tariff is far more expensive for Zentiva than it is for other brands. If they order it, even specifying zentiva but there are other hydroxy brands in stock, they can only claim back the normal drug tariff price and end up having to pay the difference themselves. Whilst mine grumbles all the time about this but does order it, others flatly refuse to accept the prescription. Boots who are part of Alliance seem more willing and also able to get it in which smacks of a monopoly and some sort of arrangement with specific wholesalers, who, in my opinion have far too much power anyway. I’m sure Hydroxy isn’t the only drug with this issue.

[Vsully]

When I started having problems getting them I complained to my consultant and doctor and it was sorted straight away,not saying yours would be the same but it's worth a try as it's an important part of the medication Hope you can get it sorted asap

Good luck

[Hidden]

Interestingly, the last two boxes I had from my tescos pharmacy on 5/1/21 was zentiva which was different to the ones I'd had before. I don't seem to have a problem with taking different brands so don't tend to notice so long as they are hydroxychloroquine . Not had an issue with supply fortunately 👍

[Milkybarkid]

Been having the Blackrock Pharmaceuticals brand which is just as good.

[Barbara17]

Thanks everyone. I’ve printed off Chanpreet’s reply with the numbers and I’ll see what my pharmacy has to say. I passed today but there was a huge queue stretching outside the building! It appears Blackrock has a similar formula and, if all else fails, I’ll give that a go. If the pharmacy can get any!

[Olderkitten]

Hi Barbara 17 I've been taking hydroxychlorquine for several years now but to be honest I'm not sure it helps, the doctor adjusts it from time to time from 1 a day to 2 a day depending on my issues at the time. I do think I've gotten worse these past few years. Did you have a question about hydroxychlorquine?

[LalSD]

My daughter and I could not get ours this month. They gave us Bristol one which we can not use. And have been told there are shortages.

[Gardenpots]

Hi Barbara 17I live in South Wales I’m having problems getting Zentiva too. My Chemist has been trying for a couple of weeks now. They do use Alliance as a supplier. I’ve said I’ll try Black Rock if they can get it I still have a few days of Zentiva left. Annoyed I didn’t know there was a problem as I could have asked my Rheumatologist this morning.

[Barbara17 in reply to Gardenpots]

Hello Gardenpots. I hope you are ok taking Blackrock. I think that is the nearest match to Zentiva. 🤞

[Gardenpots in reply to Barbara17]

Barbara I hope so too 🤞🏻