Shortages and supply disruptions
Understand the actions we take when medicine and medical device shortages happen, and what you can do.
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Latest alerts
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Pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are discontinuing some of their insulin products.
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We have made a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) that starts on 22 December 2025 and ends on 28 April 2026. The SSSI allows a pharmacist to dispense an equivalent quantity of clonidine 100 mcg tablets, if appropriate, without a new prescription
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Pharmacists can substitute 10 mg simvastatin tablets during the shortage of the 5 mg tablets.
Latest articles
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What’s changed on the website
We have made changes to our website to make finding information easier. These improvements are based on your feedback. -
Helping pharmacists manage medicine shortages
In many cases, pharmacists and prescribers are able to provide or prescribe another approved medicine that is on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) or they can give a different strength or dosage of the same medicine. -
What you need to know about compounded weight-loss medicines
Some online health clinics are advertising and selling compounded medicines. However, it is important to know that compounded products are not identical to TGA approved products.
Latest publications
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We commissioned the Health Design Lab to conduct market research to better understand the individual consumer, pharmacist and prescriber experiences of shortages and discontinuations.
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Find out how we are managing shortages of medicines and taking action to limit their effects. Read our 2024 report.
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Medicines Safety Update - Information for health professionals