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Originator: DHSC & NHS England and Improvement: Supply disruption alert

Issue date: Originally issued on 25-Oct-2021 16:10:45. This version was issued on 25-Oct-2021 16:10:45

This alert has been issued to:
  • Care Trusts
  • Mental Health Trusts
  • Specialists Trusts
  • Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Mental Health & Social Care Trusts
  • Ambulance Trusts
  • Acute Trusts
  • Community Trusts

  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts (Various Recipients)
  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • Social Care Providers (registered with CAS)
  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts - Non-NHS Recipients
  • Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Territorial CMOs in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • DHSC Supply Disruption - Medicines
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Action

Title: Tocilizumab (RoActemra) 162mg/0.9ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens - Non Covid-19 indications

Broadcast content:

**This alert was updated on 11 February 2022. Tocilizumab (RoActemra®) 162mg/0.9ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens supplies have stabilised, therefore, this Supply Disruption Alert is no longer in effect.***


**This alert was updated on 23 December 2021 to reflect an update in the resupply date from January to March 2022.**


Tocilizumab (RoActemra®) 162mg/0.9ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens are in limited supply until January 2022.


Prescribers should urgently review their Rheumatoid Arthritis guidelines and amend in line with the advice in the clinical prioritisation section of this Supply Disruption Alert (SDA).


Remaining stock should be prioritised for patients already established on these formulations and new patients, as outlined in the clinical prioritisation advice below.


Tocilizumab (RoActemra®) solution for infusion vials, which are also used in Covid-19 patients, are not covered by this SDA but supply remains constrained; and advice previously issued still applies.


 Sarilumab (Kevzara®) solution for injection pre-filled pens should be considered the first line agent for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis when an IL-6 antagonist is indicated and can support an increase in demand. Sarilumab (Kevzara®) solution for injection pre-filled syringes are unable to support an uplift in demand.


Sarilumab (Kevzara®) nurse injection training and initiation at patient's home is not funded by Sanofi and the initiating trust will need to ensure that appropriate training is available, either on site or in patient’s homes.


This alert contains further information and action for providers.

Please note that no response is required via the CAS website to this alert.


Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Offices: please cascade this alert to Community Pharmacy.

Alert reference: SDA/2021/014

Attachments:

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Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency