Several overseas-registered glucagon products have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) due to a critical shortage of the emergency glucagon product GlucaGen HypoKit.
Supplier Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals recently notified the TGA that the shortage, due to a 'shortfall in the release and supply of pre-filled syringes from an external vendor' resulting in supply constraints, was expected to last until 30 September.
The overseas glucagon products, which are listed on the TGA’s approvals database, were approved under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
In a recent statement, the TGA said priority should be given to the following people:
- People who have just started type 1 diabetes care and do not have a GlucaGen HypoKit
- People at particular risk of hypoglycaemia, such as those with concomitant adrenal insufficiency, hypopituitarism. or growth hormone deficiency
- Children
- People living or travelling in remote areas
More information about the shortage and accessing the overseas-registered products can be found on the TGA website.