The Mad ManNovartis states that Voltaren Gel is not scheduled for release this quarter but not sure when. I called the FDA and they respond with the same answer. Meanwhile, I have a prescription for this medication and I was told by the FDA to 'pharmacy shop'. Why is this medication being withheld? Could someone please check into this and explain WHY I do not have access to my medication? Appreciate any feed back.
Novartis Endo Pharmaceuticals at 888 463-6332 is not releasing Voltaren Gel. WHY?
- Posted:
- 15 Mar 2012 by The Mad Man
- Topics:
- voltaren, voltaren gel, fda, prescription
Details:
Added 21 Mar 2012:
Here is the latest on Voltaren gel...
Diclofenac 1% Gel
[27 February 2012]
Products Affected - Description
Voltaren gel, Endo
100 gram, 3 count (NDC 63481-0684-03)
100 gram, 5 count (NDC 63481-0684-05)
Reason for the Shortage
Endo is the sole supplier of Voltaren gel.
Endo could not provide a reason for the shortage.
This shortage is not affecting Pennsaid 1.5% solution, another topical diclofenac preparation for treating osteoarthritis symptoms.
Available Products
No products are available.
Estimated Resupply Dates
Endo has both Voltaren gel presentations on back order and the company cannot estimate a release date.
COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE SHORTAGE!
I have been checking the web site daily and there was nothing until today 3-21-12 but this article is dated 27 Feb.
This really needs some media exposure!
Added 26 Mar 2012:
According to the FDA website this is the latest information released...
Voltaren gel 1% (Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel)
(2/8/2012-3/23/2012)
Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
1-800-452-0051 or 1-888-477-2403 Manufacturer started to release Voltaren Gel 1% today (March 23, 2012). No further supply issues anticipated.
I guess maybe putting the heat on worked!
Added 26 Mar 2012:
Interesting...
Pennsaid Opportunity Due to Voltaren Gel U.S. Product Shortage
Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. (Endo) and Novartis Consumer Health (Novartis) recently announced that the Novartis manufacturing facility at which Voltaren Gel is manufactured, has been closed due to manufacturing issues unrelated to Voltaren Gel. Votaren Gel is the main competitive product to Pennsaid in the U.S. Endo, which licenses Voltaren Gel from Novartis for the U.S. market, has indicated there may be shortages of Voltaren Gel as Novartis transfers manufacturing to another facility. This unexpected development may be contributing to a recent increase in Pennsaid U.S. prescriptions and may provide Mallinckrodt Inc., a Covidien company (NYSE: COV), Nuvo's U.S. licensing partner, with an opportunity to further increase U.S. Pennsaid sales.
Answers (7)
Anonymous 15 Mar 2012
Sorry, I haven't heard a thing about it. I subscribe to the daily updates for the FDA & this site has been so messed up I m not even getting questions & answers from my groups let alone the FDA. I would call around & see if anyone has it , if not ask you doc for a prescription of Lidoderm patches. I hear they work great too. Hope you have insurance as I hear they can cost upwards of $600 for 30 of them.I will check out & see if I can find anything for you... Mary
pledge
The Mad Man
15 Mar 2012
Norvartis offered no help. All they would say is that the medication is not available this quarter and they are not sure about next quarter. They were not helpful at all. The FDA did nothing to help either except to 'pharmacy shop' because another pharmacy MAY have this on their shelf.
When I order medication I have the RIGHT to expect a reasonable answer on if and when they should have the medication that is prescribed by my doctor. "for what ever reason' is not the answer I would expect when a patient is in need of medication.
Anonymous 16 Mar 2012
Damn, I really hate to say this becae I don't believe in it, but bet you can find it online. I did see a site looking under volteran & the FDA where there was an ad to order it online. Kind of stuck in my craw as they usually don't recoment this at all so why would they let a sponer advertise it on their site? Kind of quirky if you ask me. I didn't write down the site as we can't mention them on here. Good luck Mad Man... Mary
hh232 The Mad Man
17 Mar 2012
I asked for media exposure on this. I don't know it I will get it but something needs to be done. Yes I will ask my doctor about the new medication BUT I just received a notice in the mail that my Pain Management doctor be leaving the clinic he worked at but a reason is not given. The research I did appears that he has done his fellowship and apparently is moving on but I have no facts to confirm this. Shame, he was a good doctor.
My issue with the Voltaren Gel is that the answers I am getting don't make sense. Why is the Voltaren gel being delayed, the answers just don't make sense and the FDA sees no reason to investigate since there is no shortage according to the FDA.
18 Mar 2012
Can't offer any explanation as to why the Voltaren isn't available, I used to use it with great results but I'm using ARNICA Gel now and it works as well as the Voltaren. (at least for me) I have recently been able to get Arnica from Wal-Mart. Also available at Whole Foods and health food stores. Its about $7 a tube at Wal-Mart. Give it a try and maybe it will help you as it has me.
21 Mar 2012
I’m possibly not allowed to post this but I have been purchasing Voltaren Gel over the last 4 years from Pharmcom. I have checked with them and they currently still have Voltaren Gel available. See http://www.pharmcom.com/buy_voltaren_online.html
The Mad Man
21 Mar 2012
I did read that information and was going to try and contract them via email because I wanted to know if my prescription from rite aid could be transferred but they had no email to contact. I also saw something that Walmart has this medication but again, no email contact. I prefer to get something in writing in the event my brain forgets. Is the dosage the same as Voltaren and how come Pharmcom has this medication when the company says they are the only ones that make this medication and they have enough on hand?
ddcmod
21 Mar 2012
I believe it is the same strength. You don't need to transfer your prescription as no prescription is required. Voltaren Gel is classified as an over-the-counter medicine in other countries.
Anonymous 21 Mar 2012
Hey Mad Man, I did some research, and although there are no reasons as to why there is a shortage, there is a shortage. I did find a few suggestions though. 1) Go to a compounding pharmacy. They may take the diflu (whatever the main drug is), and crush it, and put it in a cream for you. A lot of people are doing this. 2) Apparently they have other creams just different brands available in Canada. I'm not saying for you to do this, but you might want to call one of the pharmacies nearby and ask!!
Good luck to you!!
Anonymous 21 Mar 2012
diclofenac, sorry
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I called the FDA and they respond with the same answer. "It is on back order and they don't know when they are going to release it." The FDA has been no help to me. "It is not scheduled for release means what this quarter" means what? This is the only answer I get from Novartis and the FDA. They also told me to pharmacy shop. I have Lidoderm patches but this Voltaren releases my pain better.
WHY IS MY MEDICATION BEING HELD HOSTAGE? Call the number, see what answers you get? The above is a quote from Novartis and the FDA but the FDA claims there are no shortages???