Alert: Anticipated Shortage of Abatacept (Orencia®) – ClickJect (autoinjector) and Pre-filled syringe

Musculoskeletal Health Australia has been notified by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the manufacturer of abatacept (Orencia®), that there is an expected shortage of both the ClickJect (autoinjector) and pre-filled syringe subcutaneous formulations of the medication. 

Based on the information received, BMS anticipates there will be a shortage of this medication from June 2024. As such abatacept will be out of stock for a number of months.  

It has been confirmed that this is due to global supply chain issues that are impacting Australia as well as a number of other countries. 

BMS has been working with the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to manage supply and prioritising access for those most in need of uninterrupted treatment.  

The majority of patients currently using subcutaneous abatacept will need to switch to an alternative biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) in the short term to assist in conserving stock for patients whose rheumatologist considers have no or limited alternative treatment options.  

The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) has issued recommendations to rheumatologists to manage the shortage: 

• Patients should be switched to an alternative b/tsDMARD where possible.  
• New patients should not be started on abatacept. This includes both the subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) formulations. 
• Stock should be reserved for patients who have previously used two other b/tsDMARDs or have a relative or absolute contraindication to other b/tsDMARDs. 
• For eligible patients requiring continued abatacept treatment, consideration should be given to increasing the dosing interval if clinically appropriate. 
• Patients should remain on single-dose syringe or ClickJect prefilled autoinjector formulations and not transition to the IV presentation except in exceptional circumstances. 

BMS have put in place an Orencia® Stock Hypercare Plan (OSHP) to manage orders of abatacept (Orencia®) and dispensing from pharmacies over the period of the shortage.  

What this means for you: If you are currently prescribed abatacept you will need to 

• Have your treating specialist (rheumatologist or clinical immunologist) confirm you are eligible to continue. 
• Receive a completed OSHP Eligibility Form from your specialist and present it to your pharmacy (the form can also be emailed directly to the pharmacy by the specialist) 

Anyone impacted by the shortage are encouraged to contact their treating rheumatologist or clinical immunologist immediately for further guidance. 

RHA are continuing to actively monitor the situation and are working with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) and pharmacists to minimise any disruptions to consumers. 

Read more

TGA: Medicine Shortages Information Initiative | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Rheumatology Republic: Abatacept shortage strikes again – Rheumatology Republic

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