Roche Products Pty Limited (Roche Australia) have advised that availability of tocilizumab (Actemra) in Australia continues to improve but will remain constrained throughout early 2022.
Information for IV tocilizumab (Actemra) patients
The supply of IV tocilizumab in Australia will continue to improve throughout early 2022. Following supply modelling and collaboration between the TGA, Roche Australia, the Australian Rheumatology Association and Arthritis Australia, it has been advised that the use of IV tocilizumab (Actemra) in some patient groups can be increased.
Please refer to the Australian Rheumatology Association clinical guidance web statement for more information about changes to patient access of IV tocilizumab (Actemra) supplies.
As subsequent shipments arrive, access to IV tocilizumab (Actemra) for other patients will improve. Any future changes to the allocation of IV supplies will be communicated to patients and rheumatologists.
Information for subcutaneous tocilizumab (Actemra) patients
The supply of subcutaneous tocilizumab (Actemra) continues to improve throughout early 2022. In line with advice from the Australian Rheumatology Association, it is recommended that adult patients who were switched from subcutaneous tocilizumab to abatacept can be switched back to subcutaneous tocilizumab.
However, as access to either subcutaneous presentations (ACTPen and pre-filled syringe) may still fluctuate, it is important to proceed with caution in usage of tocilizumab until supply is stable. To ensure all patients have continual access to subcutaneous tocilizumab (Actemra) as supply returns, the Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) remains in place until 30 April 2022.
We understand how difficult this situation has been for many Australians and we acknowledge and thank patients and health professionals for their efforts to drastically reduce the use of tocilizumab to ensure continued supply for patients without alternative treatments.
For further information please refer to the following links:
- Roche Australia: Tocilizumab (Actemra) supply update
- Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) - Tocilizumab shortage supply update
- Arthritis Australia (AA): Information about the tocilizumab (Actemra) shortage