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Database of section 19A approvals to import and supply medicines to address medicine shortages
This database provides information on medicines not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) that are approved for import and supply in Australia because:
- there is a shortage of a medicine registered in Australia; and
- the medicine is needed in the interest of public health.
The database holds information on approvals current on or after 21 Feburary 2018. Contact the TGA's Medicines Shortages Section for information on approvals that expired or lapsed before 21 Feburary 2018.
Consumers can use medicines accessed under section 19A until the medicines expire.
The 'Import and supply approved until' date applies to the approval holder importing and supplying the medicine.
The Medicines Shortages Information Initiative lists medicines that are unavailable or in short supply. If you are having difficulty obtaining a treatment that has been prescribed to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Standard conditions of approval
Section 19A approvals are granted for a specified period, which usually coincides with the period that the medicine on the ARTG is unavailable or in short supply. However, approval may lapse early if:
- a decision has been made about whether or not to register the medicine in Australia
- any of the specific criteria for approval no longer apply (for example, the registered medicine is no longer in short supply)
- a condition of approval has been breached.
Section 19A approvals are subject to a number of conditions specified by the TGA including the following (though additional conditions can be imposed where the circumstances warrant it):
- the approval applies only to the medicine specified in the approval
- the approval is only for importation into and supply within Australia
- the medicine is sourced from manufacturers with acceptable evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- a letter to health professionals who will be prescribing the medicine is usually required
- the goods must be labelled with the name and address of the approval holder to ensure that adverse events can be reported.
BCG Culture SSI 30mg/vial (AJ Vaccines)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Link Medical Products Pty Ltd ABN 73 010 971 516
Approval holder phone number: 1800 181 060
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Treatment of primary or recurrent carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder.
Intravesicular BCG is also used after transurethral resection for the prevention of recurrence of high grade and/or relapsing superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (viz papillary carcinoma stage TA [grade 2 or 3] or T1 [grade 1, 2, or 3]).
Intravesicular BCG is only recommended for stage TA grade 1 tumours, when there is judged to be a high risk of tumour recurrence.
Carbimazole 5mg tablets (Morningside Healthcare)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 92 124 728 892
Approval holder phone number: 1301 788 261
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Therapy of hyperthyroidism. Definitive therapy: induction of a permanent remission, in either primary or secondary thyrotoxicosis. Preparation for thyroidectomy. Before and after radioactive iodine treatment.
ALYACEN 1/35 norethisterone 1mg and ethinylestradiol 35mcg tablets (3 blisters of 28 tablets) (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 92 124 728 892
Approval holder phone number: 1300 788 261
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Contraception
Desmopressin Nasal Spray 10mcg/0.1mL (Apotex)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 92 124 728 892
Approval holder phone number: 1300 788 261
Indications of the section 19A approved product
- The treatment of ADH sensitive cranial diabetes insipidus, including treatment of post-hypophysectomy polydipsia and polyuria
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil Teva 200 mg/245 mg Film-coated Tablets (TEVA UK Ltd)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Link Medical Products Pty Ltd ABN 73 010 971 516
Approval holder phone number: 1800 181 060
Indications of the section 19A approved product
- Treatment of HIV-1 infection: Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil is indicated for the treatment of HIV infected adults over the age of 18 years, in combination with other antiretroviral agents
Sertraline 100mg tablets, USP (Cipla)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 92 124 728 892
Approval holder phone number: 1300 788 261
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Indicated for the treatment of children (aged 6 years of age and older) and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Indicated in adults for the treatment of:
- Major depression
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder) and the prevention of its relapse
- Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as defined by DSM-IV criteria
Sertraline 50mg tablets, USP (Cipla)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 92 124 728 892
Approval holder phone number: 1300 788 261
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Indicated for the treatment of children (aged 6 years of age and older) and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Indicated in adults for the treatment of:
- Major depression
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder) and the prevention of its relapse
- Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as defined by DSM-IV criteria
Carbimazole 5mg tablets (DAWA Ltd)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Seed Pharma Pty Ltd ABN 81 612 154 373
Approval holder phone number: 1300 966 356
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Therapy of hyperthyroidism. Definitive therapy: induction of a permanent remission, in either primary or secondary thyrotoxicosis. Preparation for thyroidectomy. Before and after radioactive iodine treatment.
TECHNELITE Technetium (Tc-99m) Generator
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Global Medical Solutions Australia Pty Limited ABN 66 072 147 561
Approval holder phone number: 02 9503 8100
Indications of the section 19A approved product
Technetium [99mTc] Generator is used for the preparation of Sodium Pertechnetate [99mTc] Injection.
Sodium Pertechnetate [99mTc] is used as an agent for:
- Brain Imaging,
- Thyroid Imaging,
- Salivary Gland Imaging and
- Blood Pool Imaging
EPIRUBICIN ACCORD epirubicin hydrochloride 200mg/100mL Solution for Injection or Infusion (UK)
Medicine in short supply/unavailable:
Section 19A approval holder: Accord Healthcare Pty Ltd ABN 49 110 502 513
Approval holder phone number: 1800 222 673
Indications of the section 19A approved product
- Epirubicin hydrochloride has produced responses in a wide spectrum of neoplastic diseases. Epirubicin Hydrochloride injection is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), advanced/ metastatic soft tissue sarcoma and superficial bladder cancer (Tis, Ta)