Glenmark Levothyroxine (UK)

[helvella]

Have just received an email from Glenmark re their levothyroxine product which appeared, then disappeared. Particularly unfortunate as it was one of the few that contained neither lactose nor mannitol - and it was available in several dosages:

We have temporarily discontinued this line, however we are currently looking at the possibility of reintroducing this product back into our portfolio.

As you can appreciate this might take a bit of time, but please feel free to reach out for a progress update around June time.

[RedApple Administrator]

Do we know why they discontinued it?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to RedApple]

No - and I don't get the impression that Glenmark are going to tell us.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to helvella]

Shame Fingers crossed they do re-introduce and don't take too long about it.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to RedApple]

Very much agreed.

[Wua13262348 in reply to RedApple]

The reply I got from Glenmark by email quite some time ago said it was discontinued in the UK. I asked what countries they do supply it to. They didn't answer. They did say at that time when I was highlighting the uniqueness of Glenmark, and the severe shortages of liquid levo with no suitable tablet, other than Glenmark, as a substitute, that they may consider re- introducing it in the UK some time in the future. As Helvella says, they are not very helpful in letting us know the whys and wherefors of it all.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Wua13262348]

That is what they told me as well!

But I noticed a new/updated document which made me ask again!

[McPammy]

I’ve just had an email this morning from Pinewood who manufacture Wockhardt oral Liquid Levothyroxine. I haven’t been able to get my usual supply since November 2022. Pinewood are based in the Republic of Ireland EU. They said that they no longer will be producing it. And advised to seek help from my Dr. That’s the first time they’ve said that from the many phone calls I have made to Wockhardt based in Wrexham, North Wales and also Pinewood site in Ireland since November 2022. I will call Wockhardt in Wrexham later to see what they say about it.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to McPammy]

If only we knew what the underlying issues were!

[McPammy in reply to helvella]

My GP medication manager told me it’s all to do with Brexit. She has over 100 patients on various out of stock medications mostly diabetics and some thyroid patients. Her issue is transferring people to other drugs and it doesn’t always work out. Those who voted to leave the EU didn’t know what they were voting for. I voted to remain. I’ve worked as a Supply Chain Manager for many years and knew leaving the EU would be terrible for supply of most things, not just medical, as that is where most things are manufactured and sourced from.

[McPammy in reply to helvella]

just had an email reply from Pinewood who manufactured Levothyroxine Oral solution in the Republic of Ireland for Wockhardt. I asked why production has ceased. The response is they have technical issues.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to McPammy]

Did they make it clear whether this is a temporary (even if long lasting) issue or permanent cessation of production?

[McPammy in reply to helvella]

No not clear. It was a short message basically saying they have ceased production for Wockhardt Liquid Levothyroxine and they have had technical difficulties.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to McPammy]

Thanks - that's what I expected but was trying to avoid making assumptions.

[McPammy in reply to helvella]

email response

Response

[Regenallotment]

thanks so much for what you do helvella keeping us updated and on top of all these changes. It gives me confidence to know someone is tracking it all 👏🌱

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I have emailed Glenmark again to ask if there has been any change.