Patients worry that new medication won't match the power of this discontinued painkiller
- Replies 3
Pain, by its very nature, isn't something we often associate with joy.
Suffering from a chronic condition or something more life-limiting is a sensation many of us might be familiar with.
Now, experts are saying that hope is in sight, as an agreement has been reached to replace an important painkiller that is being phased out in Australia.
However, there are serious concerns about whether or not the new options will be equally as potent.
Ordine, a form of liquid morphine primarily used for relieving the suffering of terminal cancer patients and those with chronic conditions, is being discontinued in Australia.
The justification is that it is no longer 'commercially viable'.
The discontinuation of this vital medication has been a cause for alarm among doctors who fear that it may result in increased pain and discomfort for patients between now and early 2024.
In response to these concerns, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently approved three overseas substitutes for liquid morphine, set to be available come December, as Ordine supplies continue to dwindle.
Patients will reportedly be able to get them starting in December.
However, patients undergoing chronic or terminal illnesses are not reassured, claiming that these new alternatives might not meet the demands of their pain management needs.
Pharmacists also expressed their concerns about the replacement's suitability for their various patients.
Anna McKay, 67, a patient who's been reliant on Ordine for more than ten years to manage the pain caused by cauda equina syndrome (resulting from the compression of several spinal nerves), fears she won't be able to secure a sufficient dosage due to the smaller packaging.
'The last liquid morphine on the list from Switzerland is 10mg/ml but only comes in 20ml bottles, not 200ml like Ordine,' she explained.
'It would only last me a day and bit… Scripts for opioids are very well controlled.’
'It would be useless for me as it may well be strong enough, but it's just not going to be enough.
'I don't know where I go.'
Tom Simpson, President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), has expressed their 'grave concern' over the matter, saying: 'Two of the overseas alternatives approved by the TGA contain alcohol which may not be suitable for all patients.'
'One of the alternatives contains sucrose, which is not suitable for diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.'
'One of the alternatives comes in a concentrated oral drops formulation and is only 20ml per bottle, which is not suitable for patients requiring higher doses.
'This product is also not labelled in English, which could cause confusion and safety issues.'
Meanwhile, a TGA spokesperson stated that the details of these substitute drugs are available on its website. They also intend to work closely with pharmaceutical companies to list the replacements on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme swiftly, thereby enabling patients to purchase these medications at a reduced rate similar to Ordine.
The SHPA warns that without this, these alternatives could cost patients up to $100 per prescription.
'To help manage the discontinuation of Ordine oral liquid for patients and health professionals, we have granted approval for the supply of several overseas registered morphine oral liquid products under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.'
'This issue continues to be a high priority for the TGA.'
We encourage our readers affected by these changes to consult with their healthcare providers to ensure that the best possible pain management approach is selected.
Members, are you affected by this change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Suffering from a chronic condition or something more life-limiting is a sensation many of us might be familiar with.
Now, experts are saying that hope is in sight, as an agreement has been reached to replace an important painkiller that is being phased out in Australia.
However, there are serious concerns about whether or not the new options will be equally as potent.
Ordine, a form of liquid morphine primarily used for relieving the suffering of terminal cancer patients and those with chronic conditions, is being discontinued in Australia.
The justification is that it is no longer 'commercially viable'.
Ordine, a liquid type of morphine, is slowly being phased out in Australia. Image source: Aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik.
The discontinuation of this vital medication has been a cause for alarm among doctors who fear that it may result in increased pain and discomfort for patients between now and early 2024.
In response to these concerns, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently approved three overseas substitutes for liquid morphine, set to be available come December, as Ordine supplies continue to dwindle.
Patients will reportedly be able to get them starting in December.
However, patients undergoing chronic or terminal illnesses are not reassured, claiming that these new alternatives might not meet the demands of their pain management needs.
Pharmacists also expressed their concerns about the replacement's suitability for their various patients.
Anna McKay, 67, a patient who's been reliant on Ordine for more than ten years to manage the pain caused by cauda equina syndrome (resulting from the compression of several spinal nerves), fears she won't be able to secure a sufficient dosage due to the smaller packaging.
'The last liquid morphine on the list from Switzerland is 10mg/ml but only comes in 20ml bottles, not 200ml like Ordine,' she explained.
'It would only last me a day and bit… Scripts for opioids are very well controlled.’
'It would be useless for me as it may well be strong enough, but it's just not going to be enough.
'I don't know where I go.'
Tom Simpson, President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), has expressed their 'grave concern' over the matter, saying: 'Two of the overseas alternatives approved by the TGA contain alcohol which may not be suitable for all patients.'
'One of the alternatives contains sucrose, which is not suitable for diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.'
'One of the alternatives comes in a concentrated oral drops formulation and is only 20ml per bottle, which is not suitable for patients requiring higher doses.
'This product is also not labelled in English, which could cause confusion and safety issues.'
Meanwhile, a TGA spokesperson stated that the details of these substitute drugs are available on its website. They also intend to work closely with pharmaceutical companies to list the replacements on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme swiftly, thereby enabling patients to purchase these medications at a reduced rate similar to Ordine.
The SHPA warns that without this, these alternatives could cost patients up to $100 per prescription.
'To help manage the discontinuation of Ordine oral liquid for patients and health professionals, we have granted approval for the supply of several overseas registered morphine oral liquid products under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.'
'This issue continues to be a high priority for the TGA.'
We encourage our readers affected by these changes to consult with their healthcare providers to ensure that the best possible pain management approach is selected.
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