Pegasys Shortage

[Crossefield]

Saw this on drugshortagescanada and thought it was interesting....

The sole manufacturer of Pegasys® API, Roche Diagnostics GmbH produced a final batch of peginterferon alfa-2a in 2017. Establishment of new API manufacturer for peginterferon alfa-2a, Loba biotech GmbH, Fischamend, Austria (affiliate of pharmaand GmbH) remains in progress. Before Roche Diagnotics GmbH permanently decommissioned the API production line, they produced a final batch in 2017 which was estimated to cover global demand for approximately 10 years. Pegasys® product demand has increased significantly due to recent changes in the market. As a result, the final product batch produced by Roche will not last for the intended period of approximately 10 years, and pharmaand GmbH (pharma&) has looked to expedite the manufacturing plan. pharma& committed to investing in the ongoing development and future certification of our bio-manufacturing capabilities at our wholly-owned manufacturing plant in Austria, Loba biotech GmbH.This is a significant investment and was required to transfer the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in Pegasys® to our new facility, which is a complex biologic treatment to manufacture, requiring 18 purification stages to ensure the highest quality and safety for the patient.

[hunter5582]

Good information. Hopefully they will get it together sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, Besremi remains an option where it is available.

[light in reply to hunter5582]

Totally agree.

[light]

Thank you for this information, that is nothing new for me. Wishing you well,