Product Supply Updates

From time to time we may experience shortages of some products and may divest or discontinue others. The tables below provide further information on this.

For healthcare professionals who require more information about shortages, please contact MSD Ireland on +353 1 299 8700.

If you are a patient seeking information on how shortages may affect your treatment, we recommend that you consult your doctor.

For more information about our products, please call our medical information line via our switchboard on +353 1 299 8700.

Notifications

Product Recall Notification - ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/tazobactam)

This is to inform you of a voluntary global recall of all batches of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/tazobactam).  This recall is going to hospital level and in Ireland this action has been agreed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). 

Due to a recent manufacturing issue identified during routine internal post-manufacturing release testing of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/tazobactam), manufacturing of the product was stopped.  The testing produced sterility results that were out of specification.  

Our internal investigation is ongoing and a root cause for the test results that were out of specification has not been determined.  Therefore, the scope of the investigation includes all ZERBAXA batches within expiry. 

We are currently notifying healthcare providers and customers and these letters can be viewed here.

Caution in Use Communication Reminder - Sinemet^® Plus (carbidopa/levodopa) 25mg/100mg Tablets & Sinemet^® (carbidopa/levodopa) 12.5mg/50mg Tablets

On June 2nd, 2020, we wrote to Healthcare Professionals advising them on guidance regarding tablet subdivision and tablet removal from blister packaging for MSD’s Sinemet^® Plus (carbidopa/levodopa) 25mg/100mg Tablets & Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa) 12.5mg/50mg Tablets.  A reminder letter was also issued on December 14th, 2020, highlighting the advice previously issued and asking all healthcare professionals to communicate this information to patients.  These letters can be accessed here. 

Zoely® 2.5 mg/1.5 mg film-coated tablets

As of 1st July 2020, Zoely® 2.5 mg/1.5 mg film-coated tablets is no longer supplied by MSD - refer to Theramex for more information.

COVID-19

We continue to track the COVID-19 outbreak closely and are focused on the safety of our employees and their families, continuity of supply and clinical trials, and supporting communities affected by this outbreak. Our thoughts are with the people of all affected areas.

False Medicines Directive

In 2011 the European Commission passed the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD), requiring the implementation of safety features to avoid falsified medicines being dispensed to patients.  This came into effect in February 2019 and all prescription medicines must now be scanned by the pharmacist at the point of dispensing. 

 Pharmacists can report a suspected Falsified Medicine by phoning MSD Ireland at 01 299 8700.

 If you have any additional queries or require any further information please contact the Irish Medicines Verification Organisation directly on their website at imvo.ie