No supplies of zaditen/ketotifen

[Woodpecker2021]

I went to collect my monthly prescription of zaditen/ketotifen this evening and the pharmacy said they can't get any supplies from the 5 companies they deal with. Has anyone else experienced supply problems, does anyone know why there is a shortage?

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

I heard earlier in the week from the Department of Health and Social Care that Alloga (the distributor) should begin having stock today (21 October). It can take a few days to make its way through the systems.

[Woodpecker2021 in reply to Jess-UKMasto]

Thanks Jess, it's good to have someone who knows what is going on as the pharmacy couldn't get any answers.

[Mastomum]

Hi there. Same here. I rang every pharmacy in 30 mile radius and no ketotifen anywhere in tablet form. Pharmacy suggested I have liquid form instead so got Dr to re prescribe. Picked up today. Good luck.

[Kay-UKMasto Ambassador in reply to Mastomum]

Just a thought but when I've taken the liquid form when tablets unavailable in the past I had a problem because the liquid contained alcohol (to which I react badly), so had to measure it out and sip it very slowly (with plenty of another drink in between sips), then just about tolerated it.

[Mastomum in reply to Kay-UKMasto]

Oh what alcohol is in it? Does anyone know. I am coeliac so no alcohol containing gluten for me

[Kay-UKMasto Ambassador in reply to Mastomum]

All I can say is "read the label" very carefully before trying!

[Jess-UKMasto Partner in reply to Kay-UKMasto]

It is only arriving at Alloga today, so it will take a few days. You can ask your preferred pharmacy to call them directly for an update.

[Jess-UKMasto Partner in reply to Mastomum]

The tablets are in stock at Alloga as of today.

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

I just spoke with Alloga this morning and they have it in stock. If your pharmacy can't get it via their wholesalers I recommend you ask them to call Alloga directly. Alloga can bill them through their preferred wholesaler. (Setting up a new account with Alloga is usually the reason they won't want to buy directly from Alloga, so you can explain that Alloga make it easy when it's faster to ship it directly from Alloga.) (The chain is producers (AlfaSigma), importers (CDPharma), distributors (Alloga UK), wholesalers (AAH, Alliance, Phoenix etc.), pharmacy (your local pharmacy), patient. You can maybe circumvent the wholesalers step by having the pharmacy call Alloga.

[Woodpecker2021 in reply to Jess-UKMasto]

Just spoke to my pharmacy. They checked whilst I was on the phone and phoenix now have it in so have put an order in. Should have it by Monday or Tuesday. They are also asking for another prescription from my GP so they can get some extra tablets in for me. Thanks again for your support, much appreciated.

[Jess-UKMasto Partner in reply to Woodpecker2021]

Great news!

[Woodpecker2021]

Went to collect my tablets last night and they gave me elixir. I said I'd never had that and the tablets were at the distributor. The pharmacist went on the system and said AAH said the tablets were discontinued. I said I didn't think so because I had an update saying they were available and had reached the distributor on the 22nd. The assistant said the elixir and the tablets were the same when I said that some people react to it. I reluctantly paid and said I would get another update. Checked the ingredients when I got home, completely different with stuff that I'll have a problem with like malitol. Took it back, looks like I'll be battling for a refund and it's in the book for their nominated person to pick up today. Unhelpful pharmacy staff.. They certainly would not be interested in contacting Alloga direct. I will see if this different person will help if they phone me.

[Woodpecker2021 in reply to Woodpecker2021]

Heo Jess, the pharmacy just phoned. They said they were told that the tablet has been discontinued and that Alloga had taken delivery of the eye drops only.

[Woodpecker2021]

I changed to a different pharmacy. They contacted the wholesalers first who all said the tablets had been discontinued. They then contacted Alloga who would not comment on whether they had any until my pharmacy opened an account and that depends on whether they accept them. Will get update next week. I stopped taking my daily ketotifen yesterday as I need to keep my last remaining tablets for emergencies so now detoxing with symptoms. I've asked them to see if they can get sodium cromoglicate, it's on my prescription but never tried it.

[Tiksu]

I have now been waiting 3-4 months for ketotifen, and the pharmacy still says there is no medicine in the wholesale. An eye drop medicine would be available, but doesn't it seem to help in the same way?

[Woodpecker2021 in reply to Tiksu]

I changed to a different pharmacy who were able to order zaditen (ketotifen) from Alloga using the process detailed by Jess in this thread. They had to open an account first and then they were able to order direct with the invoice going to their nominated wholesaler. I've had 2 lots of medication now. I declined the liquid as it contains malitol and other stuff. Eye drops are completely different, I doubt it would be of any use if you normally have oral tablets. Good luck.

[Tiksu in reply to Woodpecker2021]

I live in Finland and pharmacies do not have a marketing authorization for ketotifen, so my pharmacy has had to apply for a special permit to sell it. My previous pharmacy got it delivered without any problems, but due to the move, the pharmacy changed and this wholesale of the new pharmacy apparently can’t order the drug. I need to talk to my doctor if he would give me a new marketing authorization and deliver it to the old pharmacy.

[Tiksu in reply to Woodpecker2021]

I contacted the wholesaler directly and they said that the country that supplies them with the medicine has had problems with distribution. I have received Ketotifen from Germany before, I don't know if it will come from there this time. I asked what kind of problems they had with delivery in Germany so that I could prepare for the future and find out for myself if there was really any difficulty or if the wholesaler had made a mistake himself. Said that the drug should come to them this week and deliver it immediately to the pharmacy ...

[Woodpecker2021 in reply to Tiksu]

Sorry you are still having problems. I picked up my next batch of zaditen (ketotifen) tablets so that's 3 months all fine. I hope you get sorted soon.

[Tiksu in reply to Woodpecker2021]

I finally got a message from the pharmacy today that the drug is available to pick up!

[Woodpecker2021]

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