Availability of Sodium Cromoglicate

[PCAD]

Hi, is anyone else having supply issues with Sodium Cromoglicate at the moment? It’s been a bit hit or miss the last couple of months, but today the pharmacy attached to our GP said they can’t get it. They are having one more try and then suggest we take the prescription around pharmacists to see if they can get it.

It’s for our 11 year old daughter and to be honest Sodium Cromoglicate has improved her quality of life so much, it’s quite scary to think we might not be able to get it.

Hopefully this is just a blip but would be useful to know if others are haveing the same issue.

Phill

[jenniferBSc]

I’m having the same problem it’s been -owing- at my local pharmacies for months🤷‍♀️

[Jess-UKMasto Partner in reply to jenniferBSc]

Ditto. If you could let me know in a private message if you've been looking for both generic and name brand (your prescription need to say sodium cromoglycate, not Nalcrom, for them to fill it with whichever is available) and where you are that can help if there is supply but there's a disconnect between the pharmacy and the supply. Frustrating either way!

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

Hi Phill, I will check on the supply with the companies that make it. Can you let me know if you were getting the branded product (Nalcrom) or the generic sodium cromoglycate? Sometimes the issue is with the actual supply, and sometimes it's with the distribution mechanism. If it's the distribution, sometimes the generics company can specifically direct the product to the warehouse used by your pharmacy if I tell them where it needs to go. While I'm checking in about supply, if you're comfortable you could send me a private message with info about your pharmacy? Best wishes, Jess

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

I've now spoken with Sanofi and with Iilco (who provide the generic product). Sanofi is out of stock and will be until at least the end of the year. Iilco has stock and all three of the big wholesalers (AAH, Alliance and Phoenix) have bought stock recently and so should have it available. Please ask your pharmacy to look for the generic product at one of those big three wholesalers. And ask them to be assertive. That's the starting point. If that doesn't work Iilco can intervene from the other end, but really the pharmacies should be able to track it down if all three of the big wholesalers have stock!

You do need to make sure the prescription is for sodium cromoglycate 100mg capsules, and not for Nalcrom, since Nalcrom is out of stock.

[PCAD]

Thanks Jess. All that makes sense. The prescription is generic, but I found out that the pharmacy attached to the GP (rural practise) had only been trying to source Nalcrom, hence the issues. They have realised the error of their ways and have been able to source the generic version. So relief all round. It makes such a difference to the quality of life of our daughter, the idea of going back to pre Sodium Cromoglicate days is not a great thought. I’m also baffled as to why why only come in 100’s, which is annoying the life out of the GP/Pharmacy, as 28 days supply is 112 for an 11 year old. The compromise is we now have 200 on repeat and order when needed (6-7 weeks). Thanks again for your help.

Phill