Medicine shortages in Australia – Challenges and opportunities

Questran Lite

When my stock runs low, I start contacting every pharmacy in the state with sometimes having to drive 2 hours to collect my medication as it is the only one available. It is very frustrating as overseas there are other alternatives of Cholestyramine medication, however in Australia we have only one option. A couple of years ago there was an emergency alternative of Jamp, which I had to privately order and it was not subsidised by the PBS which cost me 10 times the amount I would normally pay! But I was desperate.

I have had to drive 2 hours to collect my medication as it was the only one available in the state.
My prescription has now expired without all repeats being filled (as I just can't source the medication), so now I have to return to the GP to get a new script, but don't even know if I will be able to access my medication. This costs me personally a lot of money. The script should NOT expire until it is completely filled!

It is very frustrating as overseas there are other alternatives of Cholestyramine medication, however in Australia we have only one option. A couple of years ago there was an emergency alternative of Jamp, which I had to privately order and it was not subsidised by the PBS which cost me 10 times the amount I would normally pay! But I was desperate.

None of this has helped! I have had to ring the TGA to find out more information, including if I can purchase overseas and bring the medication back into the country. Other times I have to start calling multiple pharmacies which takes a lot of time.

Subscribe to an email alert with valid options or alternatives. Pharmacies being able to post the medication if located in another state.

Frustration!

It is of no help to me.

Subscribe to email alerts about my specific medication.

Phoning pharmacies and driving for hours to collect my medication. Plus time to return to the GP to get another script as it had expired before being completely filled. Plus when I run out of medication I am not able to leave home, as I require a toilet urgently, which is debilitating.

Time and stress!

When I run out of medication I am not able to leave home, as I require a toilet urgently and frequently. Bile acid malabsorption is classed as as an invisible disability.

I find it very frustrating that only drug companies can afford to apply for TGA approval and will do so only when it is profitable for them. There are other Cholestyramine alternatives overseas that are not accessible here in Australia. These alternatives should be considered for TGA approval and PBS subsidies also.

Allow easier access for alternatives that do not cost more money than the original option.

It is reactive and doe not appear to be proactive to protect the national interests. Simply undating a website saying that there are shortages doesn't go far enough to actively resolve the issue or find/source alternatives in a timely, cost efficient way.

We need to be less reliant on overseas supply chain issues, surely COVID-19 taught us this lesson. Invest in Australian production and maintain adequate supply amounts.

Be more flexible and adapt to new alternatives in-house. Do not rely on pharmacy companies to have to apply for emergency approvals, actively do this internally. Be on the front foot!