Interferon shortage

[VTAR24]

Hi all does anyone know if the shortage of interferon is improving as my nurse told me it's getting a bit easier to source it I am in Ireland

[hunter5582]

I think it depends on where you are and what source you use to access the Pegasys. Some sources here in the USA are not reporting a shortage. I suspect this is because these specialty pharmacies planned ahead and stocked up on their supply. The report is that the new manufacturer, Pharma&, will resume production mid to late 2025.

[AndyT]

That’s good news but as Hunter has said, it varies depending on where you are.

In the UK there is still a shortage of Pegasys, expected to last until the third quarter of 2025 and in some cases patients are being moved onto alternative treatments as an interim measure. That may include Besremi, which is an alternative but much more expensive form of pegylated interferon.

[Leveret20]

I am in the UK, and the hospital pharmacy has managed to provide six syringes over the last twelve weeks. I have a prescription for 90mcg per week.

[gilded in reply to Leveret20]

Hello Leveret20. That sounds amazing! My hospital is attached to a major London hospital and my last supply was for 2 syringes of Peg Inf ( 90mcg every fortnight). Before the shortage hit, I was given seven syringes. I had to agitate quite a bit even to get the 2 syringes as an out patient as the hosp was reserving supplies for in -patients. I told the pharmacy thst I’d probably end up as an in-patient if I didn’t get the supply and that seemed to tip the balance!

[Leveret20 in reply to gilded]

At least it is half my prescription, and I suppose I should be grateful for that, but it is hard to manage the time when I don't have it, as it's a roller coaster of side effects one week and withdrawal symptoms the next!

[Carol0925]

UK here, I’m only allowed to collect one 90 mcg syringe monthly. My Consultant telephoned me a few weeks back saying the shortage will last until after summer 2025.

[Exeter21]

Not any better in Devon UK I struggled to get one syringe & waited 3hrs at hospital despite 3 prescribed🙈

[Skyehope]

In the Highlands, I've managed to get my weekly syringe every week so far but it usually only comes through the day before I take it (and often that's only after several phone calls).

Bit of a problem if I can't travel like with the snow we had recently. It's certainly an adjustment after always having had a spare or two in the fridge for such emergency situations (which have arisen before and the spares were just the ticket).

[Jellybean129]

My local hospital were initially told they wouldn’t get any but after a concerted push they have managed to source enough for all of us. The team went through every case with the Addenbrookes team and, based on our blood history, have tweaked the doses so we can all get a suitable dose. I have been changed from 45mcg a week to 90mcg every three weeks which is far less wasteful as I was having to squirt out half a syringe every time I injected.

[nemo731]

In Netherlands academic hospital no more Pegasys - I was switched to Besremi