THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised that Zimstat (simvastatin, Alphapharm) 5mg tablets will be in shortage until 23 Jan 2026.
Other brands and strengths of simvastatin are available, but Zimstat 5mg is currently the only tablet of that strength supplied in Australia.
A Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) is now in place allowing pharmacists to dispense an equivalent quantity of simvastatin 10mg tablets, if appropriate, without a new prescription.
The TGA warns that overdose may occur if the tablet is inaccurately split, and not all tablets are scored - something pharmacists need to consider when deciding whether substitution is appropriate.
See full details HERE.
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