Updates from TGA and NBA

AMA members are advised of the following updates from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and National Blood Authority (NBA).

The TGA has provided updates following the recent Medicine Shortage Action Group meeting on the discontinuation of oral opioids MS Mono, Sevredol, and Oxynorm capsules, and the shortage of Ordine oral liquid:

• new alert published: Transfer of Ordine (morphine) oral liquid products to Arrotex 
• updated page: About the shortage of Ordine (morphine) oral liquid 
• updated page: About the shortage and discontinuation of oral opioid products.

The updates include:

• information about the change of sponsor of Ordine from Mundipharma to Arrotex
• Ordine shortage start and estimated return to supply dates
• approval of multiple overseas-registered oral liquid morphine medicines (all strengths now approved)
• PBS listing of most of the overseas-registered s19A oral morphine liquid medicines
• a copy of the translated Morphini Streuli drops  Patient Information Leaflet in English.

The NBA has announced that the revised guideline for the prophylactic use of Rh D immunoglobulin in pregnancy care (the guideline) is now available.

The guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary expert reference group (ERG) using GRADE methodology and is an update of the 2021 guideline. The NBA gratefully acknowledges the dedication and clinical expertise provided by the ERG. The updated guideline has recommendations and expert opinion points for health professionals on the appropriate use and timing of:

• pathology tests to identify maternal and fetal Rh D status
• prophylactic Rh D immunoglobulin in Rh D negative pregnant women.

The updated guideline has been published on MAGICapp (an online guideline publishing platform).

Doctors can reach out to guidelines@blood.gov.au if you have any questions about the guideline.