Please see below the shortage alerts regarding Famotidine, Nizatidine and Omalizumab.
Famotidine and Nizatidine
Famotidine and Nizatidine are both listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Medicine Shortage Reports Database (the Database).
All Famotidine is listed as “Unavailable” with an anticipated return-to-market date of January 2025. Nizatidine has also been listed on the Database for several months. Most Nizatidine products are not projected to return until January 2025. While a few products are still listed as “Limited Availability”, this typically means the product is available on backorder at the request of healthcare professionals.
If you rely on either of these medications please notify your specialist about the shortages using our template letters for Famotidine and Nizatidine below:
Omalizumab (150mg)
The TGA Medicine Shortage Reports Database has confirmed that the shortage of this medication was resolved as of 3 September 2024.
If any members continue to experience difficulties accessing their medication between 4 and 13 September, please contact TAMS with your details, including the dispensing hospital or pharmacist, so that we can assist.
Please be reminded that shortage resolution dates can be reduced or extended, so it is useful to check for updates regularly. If you are or will be impacted by this, please take steps to ensure undisrupted access to suitable medications.
Disclaimer: Dates in these templates are accurate as of Monday, 4 September 2023. To ensure that your specialist receives the most current information, we strongly recommend verifying and updating any dates before sending correspondence to your specialist.”
Inform your General Practitioner (GP)
If direct communication with your specialist, including via their reception team, is not feasible, involving your GP may be an effective alternative. Your GP may be able to liaise with the specialist via phone or written correspondence to better establish what options are best suited in your individual circumstances. Recommendations might involve transitioning to non-H2 antagonist medications or compounded H2 antagonists.
Contact your pharmacy
If you have scripts/repeats remaining for Famotidine or Nizatidine, please engage with your Pharmacy to establish if adequate stock is available in-house or which can be ordered through suppliers and reserved for you to ensure that all repeats on your script can be filled.
Compounded medications
TAMS has compiled a list of compounding chemists from each region to assist individuals transitioning to compounded medication during the shortages to make multiple inquiries and ensure agreeable pricing.
