Supply Disruption Alert: Tinzaparin sodium (10,000 IU/ml) 3,500 units in 0.35 ml and 4,500 units in 0.45 ml pre-filled syringes

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply disruption alert for Tinzaparin sodium (10,000 IU/ml) 3,500 units in 0.35 ml and 4,500 units in 0.45 ml
pre-filled syringes

Alert reference: SDA/2021/008

Leo Pharma are the sole supplier of tinzaparin. Leo is experiencing capacity issues at the production plant in France where tinzaparin is manufactured due to an increase in global demand and resulting technical difficulties. It is expected these will be resolved later in the year and supply will return to normal from early 2022.

  • Tinzaparin sodium 3,500units in 0.35 ml and 4,500units in 0.45 ml pre-filled syringes will be unavailable between middle of October 2021 and January 2022 (date TBC).
  • All other presentations of tinzaparin remain unaffected by this supply disruption

For patients prescribed tinzaparin sodium 3,500units in 0.35 ml and 4,500units in 0.45 ml pre-filled syringes in Primary Care
GPs and Health Care Professionals who prescribe tinzaparin should identify all patients that may be impacted and ensure that:

  • their treatment is reviewed, with support from secondary care colleagues if appropriate, and the patient is switched to another LMWH before mid-October 2021;
  • the impacted patients receive appropriate counselling to support a safe switch; and
  • no new patients are initiated on treatment with the impacted products.

Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) Medicines Information team has put together a table of LMWHs and fondaparinux that can be used by organisations to support their review of alternatives. This can be accessed via this link. Please note an SPS portal account will be required. Those without an account can register via this link.

For further information and for advice on the management of affected patients please view the alert here.

The DHSC Medicine Supply Team provide a monthly update on potential supply issues affecting both primary and secondary care. This update is uploaded on the Specialist Pharmacy Services (SPS) website. To register, you will need  an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.

 

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