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Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Novartis Products Shortage!
On January 9th of
this year Novartis Pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall of some of their over-the-counter human products including Excedrin,
NoDoz, Gas-X Prevention Products, and Bufferin. Apparently, these medications contained stray tablets, capsules, or caplets
from other Novartis drugs including prescription painkillers manufactured at the same facility. Now veterinarians are involved in the brouhaha with the revelation that the following drugs are or soon will
be on back order:
·
Interceptor Flavor Tabs® (heartworm preventive)
· Sentinel Flavor Tabs® (flea control product)
·
Program Tablets and Suspension® (flea control product)
· MilbeMite® (medication to treat ear mites)
·
Deramaxx® (pain relief medication)
The backorders are the consequence
of the closure of a Novartis manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. The details are sketchy as of yet, but interruption
of the production of such top selling drugs typically means one thing, sloppy quality control. Novartis
recently recalled some of their big-name over-the-counter human products.
Their
seemingly sloppy QC has spilled over to the Novartis animal health division as evidenced by the following letter recently
delivered to veterinarians about Clomicalm®, a medication to treat separation anxiety in dogs:
Dear Doctor:
Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. is committed to delivering safe and efficacious
veterinary products, and would like to inform you about a recent development involving CLOMICALM® (clomipramine hydrochloride)
tablets. Due to potential packaging issues at our manufacturing facility, there is a
rare possibility that a wrong tablet may be found in bottles of CLOMICALM®. Novartis has not received any reports where
a patient experienced a product mix-up, nor has Novartis received any adverse events attributable to a product mix-up. However,
as a precautionary measure, we would like to extend the following recommendations.
1) Before dispensing CLOMICALM®, open each bottle and examine the contents for tablets that are broken
or incorrect in color, shape or size (visual guide included).
2) Post a copy of the Dear Valued Customer letter issued
by Novartis Animal Health in your clinic (copy included).
3)
Distribute copies of the Dear Valued Customer letter to affected pet owners. Novartis Animal Health will send your clinic
extra copies upon request. If you publish a clinic newsletter, please consider using the provided notice.
4) Report any abnormal findings to Novartis Animal Health at 800-637-0281.
5) Return affected product to Novartis Animal Health; call the aforementioned
number for full details.
6) Inform your clients who have already
received CLOMICALM® to examine tablets and refrain from administering any that are questionable in color, shape or size;
and to contact Novartis Animal Health to discuss product return of affected bottles.
7) Keep records of communication with pet owners in patient files.
8) Ensure that any re-packaged tablet bottles are labeled with the product lot
number.
Novartis Animal Health requests that you complete and return the enclosed Response Card reflecting
that you have read and understand these points, and have discussed them with your clients.
Canine separation anxiety is a complex disorder that has great bearing on patient
quality of life and the human-companion animal bond. Uninterrupted treatment is essential for successful management of this
condition. Our veterinarians are prepared to discuss best practices with you in the event patients require alternative therapies,
in order to minimize the risk of adverse events and potential relapse of signs.
We thank you for your attention and cooperation regarding this important issue. If you have any further questions,
please contact Technical Product Services and Pharmacovigilance at 1-800-637-0281.
I suppose the one positive aspect of this letter for me is that I have been introduced to a really
cool word that I will be adding to my repertoire, “pharmacovigilance”! This is little consolation for the fact
that my pets are currently on Interceptor Flavor Tabs® which is easy to administer and has proven to be an effective preventative
treatment.
So, how will this aggravating
development affect you and your pets? If you are treating your dog or cat with a Novartis Animal Health product, you would
be wise to call or email your veterinarian to discuss a course of action as they are either already out of Novartis products
or they are rationing what they have. Even internet companies such as 1-800-PETMEDS is limiting quantities they will send;
if they have any to send at all. If necessary your vet may recommend an alternative so as to avoid
any interruption in your pet’s treatment. Competing brands, such as Heartgard, Trifexis, Iverhart Max, and Rimadyl,
are among the list of medications that will likely be recommended.
Novartis
has offered no indication of when production might resume.
12:23 pm est
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