T3 Shortage

[Zephyrbear]

I have just been contacted by my GPs surgery (who supply my prescriptions) to be told that they have been informed by MercuryPharma that T3 will not be available until 14 November at the earliest! So much for their misinformed reassurances of earlier this week!!! Blerggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clutter]

Zephyr, has your GP prescribed an alternative T3?

[Zephyrbear in reply to Clutter]

No, but they did go out of their way to locate an alternative supply for me, albeit 30 miles away! However, I've got them so I'll be ok for another month and the pharmacy that I got them from told me that they have another month's worth in stock with no other demand, so if Mercury don't get their act sorted out by the time I need another repeat prescription, I should be alright.

[Clutter in reply to Zephyrbear]

OK, Zephyr, your sorted but it shouldn't be so difficult. I had my sister get me some Tiromel when she was in Turkey to tide me over in this situation.

[Zephyrbear in reply to Clutter]

I totally agree! Luckily, I have a brother who lives in Greece and I shall be getting him to send me some more from there. Surely there must be something we can do to get the NHS to look for alternative suppliers!

[Clutter in reply to Zephyrbear]

Zephyr, It's the other way around. Manufacturers have to apply for a product licence to distribute medicines in the UK. MHRA and NHS don't search out suppliers.

[Zephyrbear in reply to Clutter]

That really has to be the most ridiculous rule on the planet!!! Why can't the NHS be allowed to go shopping for its best deals? That would be like you or me having to buy the most expensive bread on the market until tesco's finally send us a mail shot!

[shaws Administrator]

I went to collect mine today too, to be told the suppliers still don't have a stock. I think the GPs will have no choice but to handwrite a prescription as it cannot be done on the computer as Cytomel isn't on it. There was a post last week or the week before from MHRA telling the doctors how to prescribe if there was no alternative.

My GP wouldn't prescribe Cytomel as it didn't come up on his computer. I will request again today as the Chemist thought he would have some in but his supplier has said T3 not available yet.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to shaws]

The MHRA issued a statement last year, May 2013, on exactly this subject. Whilst the general ideas still apply, it might be that MHRA actually have to recognise the shortage and state that it is OK for EU products to be supplied.

mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformati...

AND

mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/What...

Note: In terms of strict medicine prescribing, doctors are certainly able to prescribe Henning Thybon, Sanofi Cynomel and, possibly, some other EU makes. It does make it easier for them if it is sanctioned from above and could avoid administrative/financial/policy restrictions.

Pfizer/King Cytomel is likely to be more expensive (and also non-EU) so may be less likely to be allowed.

Rod

[shaws Administrator in reply to helvella]

Rod,

I have amended my post, as you will see and thanks very much indeed especially for the second which sets it out plainly.

[Zephyrbear]

Although I've managed to find a supply 30 miles away, I shall also be getting in touch with my brother in Greece and get him to buy me another emergency stand-by supply. The only reason I couldn't this time was because I'd taken notice of posts here about Mercury's assurances about the availability of T3 and not ordered until I was almost out. That will not happen again!!!