Shortage of Abatacept (Orencia®) – update

The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) has issued recommendations to rheumatologists to manage the shortage effectively:
• no new patients should be started on subcutaneous or intravenous abatacept
• patients should be switched to an alternative biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) where possible
• stock should be conserved for patients who have previously used two other b/tsDMARDs, or who have a relative or absolute contraindication to other b/tsDMARDs.

BMS have put in place an Orencia® Stock Hypercare Plan (OSHP) to manage orders of abatacept (Orencia®) and dispensing from pharmacies over the period of the shortage.
Consumers will need to:
• Have their treating specialist (rheumatologist or clinical immunologist) confirm whether they are eligible to continue on abatacept.
• If they are eligible, they will need to receive a completed OSHP Eligibility Form from their specialist and present it to their pharmacy (the form can also be emailed directly to the pharmacy by the specialist).

Individuals affected by the shortage are encouraged to contact their treating rheumatologist or clinical immunologist promptly for further guidance.

As details unfold, we are actively working with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) and pharmacists to provide the latest information to consumers.