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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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Medicine shortages

Find out how to how to check for medicine shortages, and what to do if your product is affected.
Medical device supply disruptions

Find out how to handle a medical device supply disruption or shortage.

Latest alerts

Substitutions approved for shortage of Zimstat (simvastatin) 5 mg tablets

5 December 2025

Medicine shortage alerts

Pharmacists can substitute 10 mg simvastatin tablets during the shortage of the 5 mg tablets.
Substitutions approved for shortage of nicorandil tablets

28 November 2025

Medicine shortage alerts

Pharmacists can substitute whichever brand and strength of nicorandil is available during the shortage.
Presolol 100 (labetalol 100 mg) shortage and substitution instrument extended

30 October 2025

Medicine shortage alerts

We have extended the Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Labetalol) Instrument 2025 (SSSI) to 31 December 2025.

Latest articles

What’s changed on the website

30 October 2025

News articles

We have made changes to our website to make finding information easier. These improvements are based on your feedback.
Helping pharmacists manage medicine shortages

20 May 2025

Blog

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

3 June 2024

Blog

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

Market research - Understanding the impact of medicine shortages in Australia

6 November 2024

Corporate reports

We commissioned the Health Design Lab to conduct market research to better understand the individual consumer, pharmacist and prescriber experiences of shortages and discontinuations.
Medicine Shortages Report 2024

30 July 2024

Corporate reports

Find out how we are managing shortages of medicines and taking action to limit their effects. Read our 2024 report.
SGLT2 inhibitors approved for T2DM only

15 February 2022

Corporate reports

Medicines Safety Update - Information for health professionals

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