Activis Levothyroxin

[JacquelineH]

Just been speaking with our local Pharmacist. Last year Activis was taken over by Accord and he thinks there may be problems getting Activis Levothyroxin brand as the drugs merge. They’ll probably go for the cheaper version (which isn’t Activis)

I have tried Mercule Pharma and I can’t tolerate it. Any other brands? I’m on 100mcg per day.

[helvella Administrator]

Yes - Actavis Generics in the UK was taken over by Accord. Well over a year ago:

2017-04-03

Actavis UK & Ireland are now Accord Healthcare

accord-healthcare.co.uk/new...

I do not understand what the pharmacist means about "as the drugs merge"?

Accord do not have any other levothyroxine product available in the UK. So I do not know what he imagines is going to have to merge?

It is possible that the name of the packet will change to Accord - I don't think we have seen that reported, yet.

Actavis levothyroxine is also supplied to the market as Northstar (a brand owned by the Lloyds group) and Almus (a brand owned by the Walgreen Boots Alliance group).

If your current pharmacy is unwilling or unable to supply Actavis - try Lloyds or Boots.

If you want to find out the real story, call Actavis. They are, it is reported, friendly.

There are two other makes available in the UK: Wockhardt (who only supply 25 microgram tablets) and Teva. Unfortunately, while some people positively like the Teva levothyroxine products, many do not tolerate them.

[Maybe21]

Just collected my Levothyroxine 100mcg .

Patient info sheet says Actavis Barnstaple EX32 8NX

Box says North Star ! Expiry date 11.2019

[FancyPants54 in reply to Maybe21]

Actavis and Northstar are the same product. Boxed differently for different outlets. See Helvella's response above yours.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Maybe21]

On the outside of the box (Almus or Northstar) it says something like P/L Holder: Actavis and the product licence number.

The number is the same across Actavis, Almus and Northstar levothyroxine and means that the product inside is also identical.

[Oatcake]

Hi, same problem. I phoned Accord-UK Ltd and they said there was no issue over the supply of Actavis 50 mcg or 100 mcg. I phoned around. Independent pharmacies say it is the wholesalers who are not sourcing Actavis. Boots and Lloyds as others have said use Actavis under their own labels. Unfortunately for me, I don't have Boots or Lloyds nearby though I did phone them to check.

Like you I didn't do well on Mercury Pharma so may have to trial Teva.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Oatcake]

You could always use your prescription through one of the many internet pharmacies:

nhs.uk/Service-Search/pharm...

I have not used one, but several members have.

[Oatcake in reply to helvella]

Thanks. That's something for me to investigate. I am in Scotland so I am not sure if we can do it here. I know the service through Lloyds Pharmacy isn't available.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Oatcake]

The frequently asked questions linked below appears to suggest that you can present a Scottish prescription to a non-Scottish pharmacy. Questions over charges might arise if you do not actually have an exemption - and why would you if you are already exempt from charges by being in Scotland?

nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Your...

[Oatcake in reply to helvella]

Thanks so much for looking that up. I suspect you are correct about the charges. I don't have an exemption certificate any longer as we don't need them. I'll contact some of the online pharmacies and ask

[Oatcake in reply to Oatcake]

Just a brief update. My independent pharmacy has sourced Actavis again and it is in stock 'for the moment'!