The TGA has made a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) for warfarin. This instrument is in force until 07 August 2023 and allows a pharmacist to offer the patient or their carer a lower strength of COUMADIN warfarin tablet if the 5mg tablet is unavailable, without prior approval from the prescriber.
The TGA SSSI website provides information to pharmacists, prescribers and patients. The web alert includes a link to a printable PDF patient information sheet that pharmacists may find useful when counselling patients who are dispensed a substitutable medicine. Viatris, the sponsor of COUMADIN tablets will also be disseminating this information sheet.
The substitution has PBS subsidy arrangements, and the PBS website has been updated with this information.
If you have any questions, please contact the Medicine Shortages Section on 02 6289 4646 or email [email protected].