The TGA has advised of a shortage of Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch insulin prefilled pens and has created an SSSI to help manage the shortage.
Information from the TGA:
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been notified of a current shortage of Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch insulin prefilled pens. The shortage is expected to continue until 5 June 2024 and is a result of unprecedented global demand for other medicines using the FlexTouch delivery device.
To help manage the shortage, the TGA has made a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI). This means pharmacists can give patients Ryzodeg 70/30 Penfill cartridges instead of Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch prefilled pens under certain conditions. Both products contain the same medicine, at the same strength, have the same storage requirements, and are administered by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). However, the device used to administer the medicine is different.
Ryzodeg FlexTouch insulin prefilled pen is an all-in-one insulin and administration device, while the Ryzodeg Penfill insulin is a cartridge that must be administered using a separate administration device (NovoPen).
This SSSI will be in force until 5 June 2024 (unless revoked earlier). The instrument:
- declares Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch as a scarce medicine
- specifies Ryzodeg 70/30 Penfill as the substitute medicine as per the substitution protocol included in the SSSI- external site.
For more information about SSSIs see Substituting scarce medicines and Serious Scarcity Substitution Instruments (SSSIs).
