Shortages
Search for information about a medicine shortage and find out if there is a way to access an alternative product.
A medicine shortage occurs when there is unlikely to be enough of a medicine in Australia for the people who need to take it. Suppliers must report shortages of prescription medicines and a small number of over-the-counter medicines to the TGA.
Each shortage listed on our medicine shortages reports page refers to a single product. There are usually alternative brands, strengths or dose forms of the same medicine available.
You can view our medicine shortage alerts and search the medicine shortage reports database on our website. The information in the database will provide an estimate of how long the shortage will last and may tell you if there is an alternative medicine available. Our page on accessing medicines during a shortage explains more about accessing alternative products.
Find out how we manage a medicine shortage, including information for sponsors on reporting a shortage and supplying alternative products during a shortage.
Latest alerts
- Substitution instrument to address shortage of COUMADIN warfarin 5mg tabletsAs the shortage of Coumadin 5mg tablets is expected to continue, the TGA has made a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument to assist patients to access their medicine from their pharmacist without delay or interruption to treatment.
- Warfarin shortagesThe TGA is aware of several warfarin product shortages due to manufacturing issues.
- Limited dispensing and supply of medicinesA reminder for health professionals and consumers on safe and equitable dispensing and supply
Latest articles
- Consumers warned about Ozempic scamsThe TGA is aware of several scams targeting consumers seeking semaglutide (Ozempic). Consumers are strongly advised not to use products unless they have come from a trusted source.
- Limited Ozempic supplies to commence distribution in AustraliaSupplies of Ozempic (semaglutide) have begun distribution in Australia but will remain quite limited for some time.
- Antibiotics shortage in AustraliaCurrent antibiotics shortages in Australia include amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefalexin, metronidazole and trimethoprim.