The typhoid vaccine Typhim™ is currently not available from Aventis-Pasteur. Please be aware that we currently have ample stock of the oral typhoid drug Vivotef™; however, supplies are limited..
On November 5th we were notified that West-Ward, a major generic manufacturer, had voluntarily decided to temporarily suspend the new manufacturing of all of its oral solid pharmaceutical products at their New Jersey plant until mid-January. The manufacturing of injectables and overseas manufacturing are not be affected. This closure, which followed recent FDA inspections, will affect numerous products and will put a burden on the supply chain. Products affected include but is not limited to the following: all the butalbital products, captopril, ciprofloxacin, dicyclomine, digoxin, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, isoniazid, isosorbide mononitrate, lisinopril, methocarbamol, naproxen and prednisone. Pharmedix® will be instituting order limits for the above products so that we will hopefully be able to supply product without raising prices
through the shortage period. We are expecting shortages to last at least until March of next year.
Despite the fact that the FDA claims it is not responsible for drug shortages or major price increases but likes to blame the secondary wholesale market for such problems, we believe this is the exact type of situation that causes major price increases. Point in fact, Mutual, now the primary supplier of doxycycline 100mg tablets and capsules, announced on November 6th (one day after the Westward plant closure became public knowledge) that the cost of doxycycline will rise 200 fold January 1st 2013. This brings the cost per tablet to nearly $4.00, making the price for 20 doxycycline tablets over $80.00. This price increase comes on the heels of another FDA action that has effectively taken Tetracycline off the market. It is interesting that the major wholesalers have already increased their price on their existing stock. Call the FDA and your congress person and complain. Regulatory actions have consequences.
A number of new generic products have recently been released. The asthma drug Singular™ (Montelukast Na) is now available as the generic in 10mg swallow tablets, as well as, 4 and 5mgchewtabs. The price for 30 tablets for all 3 products is now under $18.00. The diabetes drugs Actos™ (Pioglitazone HCl) is now available in 15, 30 and 45mg tablets. This product is still alittle pricey, with a price of $70 or more (depending on strength) for 30 tablets. Prices will fall earlynext year when more manufacturers begin to make this product. The generic for anti-platelet drug Plavix (Clopidogrel Bisulfate 75mg) hit the market early this summer and currently sells for lessthan $6.00 for 30 tablets. The angiotensin II receptor antagonists, Cozaar™ (Losartan Potassium 25, 50, 100mg) and Avapro™ (Irbesartan, 75, 150, 300mg) are both available generically.Losartan cost less than $ 5.00 for 30 tablets and Irbesartan cost less than $9.00 for 30 tablets.
The popular anti-depressant agent, Lexapro™ released earlier this summer as the generic, Escitalopram 10mg, and 20mg tablets, is now affordable. Prices are continuing to drop, and shouldreach less than $ 6.00 for 30 tablets by the end of November. Citalopram (Celexa™) is still lessexpensive, but appears to have a higher risk of prolonging QT intervals. Remember, escitalopramis just the active metabolite of citalopram. The price of antipsychotic agent, Seroquel™, Quetiapine Fumarate 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400mg IR-tabs continues to fall. The cost of this genericis dramatically lower than the brand product since there are multiple generic manufacturers.
Starting after the first of the year, Pharmedix® clients will be able to dispose of expired medications properly by using the services of Reliable Pharmaceutical Returns (RP Returns). RP Returns is a Reverse Distribution/Disposal company. They are licensed by the DEA and State Board of Pharmacies to return meds eligible for credit and properly dispose of expired and unwanted pharmaceuticals including narcotics, recalls and hazardous materials. They provide these services to hospitals, pharmacies, wholesaler/distributors, manufacturers, contract packagers, doctors, dentists, and veterinarians throughout the United States. They have several years of experience in the pharmaceutical returns industry and are a proud member of the Better Business Bureau.
Pharmedix® has contracted with RP Returns to provide their services to our clients at a significantly reduced rate. Their services will be available through our website for our clients only starting after January 1st.
MEDIXFACTS IS A NEWS PUBLICATION OF PHARMEDIX CO. UNION CITY, CA . 1-800-486-1811 www.pharmedixrx.com.