The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has extended the Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) for abatacept (Orencia) until 30 June 2022. This enables continued timely access for patients using subcutaneous abatacept formulations currently in shortage.
This means patients who are prescribed:
- Orencia abatacept (rch) 125 mg single dose ClickJect prefilled autoinjector ARTG 236039
or
- Orencia abatacept (rch) 125 mg single dose syringe subcutaneous injection ARTG 206764
can be given either product by their pharmacist. Specified medicine supplied in accordance with the SSSI continue to be subsidised by the PBS.
Patients may present to the prescriber, rheumatologist, GP, nurse or a pharmacist asking how to administer the substitute Orencia product.
More information on the SSSI can be found on the TGA website alert Substitution instrument to address shortage of abatacept (Orencia).
The supply of abatacept has improved, and health professionals can now resume normal prescribing of intravenous (IV) abatacept (Orencia IV infusion) following an update to the clinical guidelines.
For more information, visit the Abatacept (Orencia) shortage: updated IV infusion clinical guidelines webpage.