availability of cyclosporne

[rschem]

I have been on sandoz cyclosporne since Sept/2008.I am doing quite well on 300mg./day.I am down to about 1 week supply of the 50mg. The pharamisist cannot find this size drug anywhere. Is anyone elese having trouble getting their drugs? I have heard some cancer patients cannot get their drugs latley. What is happening with the drug compinies?
I am getting worried I will have a relapse if I cannot get my drug.

[Marlene]

I understand this drug shortage has been going on now for about 10 years. I don't understand why the FDA and AMA are not on top by now. Maybe we need to bring back some of the manufacturing back to the states. John ran into this back in 2002 when he needed an injectable form of a common older drug. None could be found. Luckily, it was not one his life depended on. The FDA states there are a few reasons, like manufacturing problems, quality assurance issues, or they are just not producing older drugs any longer.

http://www.ashp.org/drugshortages/current/

[Susan]

Good your pharmacist is trying. I recently read of a New York suburban woman who couldn't find her med after calling around. She ended up going to New York City for it. Call around yourself, especially to closest big cities. It's shameful how the limted supply, at least in the states seems to be in order to maximize price and profit.

[smarchesin]

Is this the same as Neoral? Either way, the pharmacist should be able to call Novartis (the manufacturer) and find out what options exist. I have only ever been on Neoral made by Novartis but I know a generic version of cyclosporine exists, I just don't know who makes it.

Silvia