Pfizer limiting supplies of Neurontin?

[CouthyMow]

My pharmacist has been unable to gain a supply of Neurontin as Pfizer, the manufacturers, are apparently restricting supplies because there isn't enough to go around?

I have phoned the only two other pharmacies that are accessible to me, and they are saying the same thing.

I have roughly 8 days worth of medication left.

When I take other brands of what is essentially Gabapentin for my epilepsy, I end up having breakthrough seizures, as the half-life of the active ingredients is different.

I am starting to panic a little. And none of the pharmacists can tell me when they will get the rest of this months meds in, or whether I will have this problem next month too.

How would I go about finding out if what I am being told is true, or of it is my (notably crap and almost bankrupt) PCT trying to limit use of Gabapentin to other, cheaper generic brands? I'm already on a generic as it gave me the best seizure control, but chopping and changing messes with that and I can't have that!

Can anyone help me to sort this out?

Really? I take Gabapentin but for pain not for epilepsy, I have noticed that I keep being given different brands each time I get any. However as it is for pain I don't have problems with different versions. Can you get Boots or similar to deliver to you? I know that our PCT was limiting salbutemol rather than Ventolin and DH would get no relief using salbutemol.

Could you call Pfizer? They are based in Sandwich in Kent, Otherwise PALS maybe?

It is a particular problem with epilepsy to change brands, whatever medication you are on, because the half-life will be different. I have tried other brands before, but my seizure control (well, what I have, still uncontrolled even now) is affected badly by a change of brand, to the point where I end up having massive breakthrough seizures. It's to the point where my GP actually states the brand I need on my scrips.

Didn't think of calling Pfizer. Will contact PALS on Friday morning if I've heard nothing by then.

Just concerning me because I don't know whether it is Pfizer having a manufacturing issue or my PCT saying it has to be cheaper, often foreign brands.

I live too far out for all but one pharmacy to deliver to me. Who won't because I don't satisfy their criteria on lack of mobility, which is restricted to physical issues rather than Neurological.

I have no knowledge about Pfizer and Neurontin but I do know that many UK pharmaceutical companies are having problems with supplies of several drugs because the wholesaler are buying the stocks but selling them abroad instead of selling to UK pharmacies. It is called parallel trade and is perfectly legal within the EU. So a UK pharma company supplies its usual amount of drug to the wholesale distributer. The wholesaler then sees that, because of exchange rates and different pricing rules, they can sell the drug to pharmacies in other EU countries at a higher price than they can sell to UK pharmacies. This results in no drug actually being available for UK patients So some pharma companies have tried restricting how much drug they supply to the wholesalers and also wanting to see genuine UK pharmacy orders or prescriptions before they will supply.

As I said, I have no idea if this is the case with Neurontin but it would be worth talking to Pfizer. If you have the leaflet from your last pack, there should be a phone number on it.

It is also possible that a pharmacy may sometimes be able to supply you with parallel imported Neurontin. It will have very different packaging from another country and have a sticker on it with English information (can look scarily amateur). Often it will the exact same drug, made in the same factory as UK Neurontin, just packaged for a different country. It is not a generic. Once again, Pfizer would be able to check this for you.

Hope you get the medicine you need.

Pfizers foreign drug has a slightly different half life to the UK made one - my pharmacist ended up with that today when he tried to order my remaining pills for this month. It's no good, the difference in half life is enough to affect my seizure control.

Any good ? www.chemistdirect.co.uk/

www.rowlandspharmacy.co.uk/page/prescriptions/about.cfm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=uk%20online%20pharmacy+Exact&utm_campaign=Online%20Prescription%20Service

Have Pfizer confirmed that the half-life is different? The UK patient leaflet shows that the product supplied here is made in Germany and lists a large number of other countries with Neurontin. Usually all countries listed on the leaflet will have the exact same drug.

I would contact your neurologist or hospital pharmacy - they may have a bit more luck getting supplies from Pfizer than your community pharmacy.

I'm panicking now. I will definitely phone Pfizer in the morning, but the stress is badly affecting me, I have a migraine which often signifies that I will have a night time seizure.

Neuro is in a different PCT, 60 miles away, and I'm only allowed to see him once a year.

The one my pharmacist got was from a country not listed in the UK leaflet, so was produced in a different factory - India rather than Germany apparently.

Can you order online if you don't have your scrip? As the pharmacy kept it when they gave me the 9 days worth they had, so they can give me the rest when they get them.

I also don't pay for my prescriptions, as I am on Income Support, and I have no money in the bank at all (bloody school shoes!)

Would the Hospital pharmacy be a good idea? It is fairly local to me, but I thought they could only give out drugs from a HOSPITAL prescription? And as there is no Neuro in my hospital (or entire PCT), that would prove difficult?

Please don't panic (I know easy to say). You still have supplies for a week. I think you should call Pfizer in the morning then go back to the pharmacy that is holding your prescription.

A hospital pharmacy can probably only supply for their prescriptions.

Well that buggers that option in a hospital with no Neuro then! Pah! My PCT is so crap.

After you talk to Pfizer, you might need to get the pharmacy that is holding your prescription to talk to them. Pharma companies are restricted with what they can say to patients (so they cannot be accused of promoting a drug to a patient) but can discuss more with a pharmacist or doctor.

Dies it really have a different half life? Part of the licensing application will be proof that they are the same

(& PS Ventolin IS salbutamol - there is no difference, it's like Panadol vs paracetamol)

They have to have the same quantity of the active ingredient, there is nothing covering differing amounts of the fillers and binders that are added to the pill, all of which affects its half life.

And even different types of fillers, bindings and coatings. All of which CAN make a difference. When it is something as sensitive as seizure control, this can become a big issue.

Epilepsy Action have been trying to fight this for years, tbh I thought they had been successful as I've not had an issue with this for over 4 years now.

I'm sure you know what you are talking about, but a generic does have to be shown to be bioequivalent to the original generally, but there is obviously an issue here. I hope you get it sorted soon.

It's only the active ingredients that need to be bioequal.

Get the pharmacy to ring Pfizer for you, they are getting paid for dispensing your prescription and have a duty of care to you as their patient.

Most epilepsy drugs are always prescribed as one brand to my knowledge due to the narrow therapeutic window of these drugs whereas salbutamol, paracetamol, etc it is not so vital.

It is worth checking with Pfizer which other countries have the same supply chain as the UK, some companies produce supplies for several countries from one factory

The active ingredients are bioequivalent by their very nature. Usually it is the product which has to be shown to be bioequivalent. Believe me, it's what I do. However I do know nothing at all about gabapentin , and I acknowledge that you obviously do!