EmailHospital Circular 11/2004
Date Issued: 26 March 2004
Distribution: Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals
Subject: Update on Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Shortages
Purpose: To advise hospitals on the arrangements to access limited additional supplies of imported Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Victoria.
1. BACKGROUND
A circular issued on 16 March 2004 advised hospitals on critically low stocks of IVIG and informed restrictions on use of product. A marked and sustained increase in usage of IVIG has led to inability of domestic supply to meet those levels of demand.
2. REMOVAL OF RECENT RESTRICTIONS AND PURCHASE OF SANDOGLOBULIN ®
For the first time, supplies of the imported IVIG product Sandoglobulin ® have been purchased, as part of the National Blood Supply arrangements, to supplement current stocks in Victoria. The first stocks of Sandoglobulin ® have already been delivered to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Victoria and future stocks will be arranged in the near future. This is a significant policy change and its future implications will be the subject of further consideration.
This arrangement will enable the total supply of IVIG, including Sandoglobulin ®, to be maintained at the average weekly issue of Intragam P over the last three months and these supplies will be monitored for adequacy. As demand has grown significantly this year, health services will need to manage within these levels to prevent further supply problems.
ARCBS has agreed to issue Sandoglobulin ®. The Department of Human Services is of the view that this should be according to clinical priorities as is the case for Intragam P ®. ARCBS-Victoria is establishing an IVIG User Group to assist in providing advice on clinical priorities for product use. This Group, which will comprise key clinicians, ARCBS, consumer groups and Departmental representatives, will work together collectively to ensure that supplies of IVIG are optimally managed through an approval process according to clinical prioritisation.
Governments, through the Jurisdictional Blood Committee and the National Blood Authority, are exploring long term solutions for the most effective supply and management of the use of IVIG in Australia. New national clinical guidelines for IVIG are in preparation, and the planning framework for future years, given current increases in usage, will be addressed.
Departmental Contacts:
Trevor Sutherland (03) 9616 1302
Tania Nallathamby (03) 9616 1316
Dr Chris Brook
Executive Director
Rural and Regional Health & Aged Care Services
