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helvella - Prescribing Aristo Levothyroxine and Vencamil

Update!

The generic version will no longer be distributed. There might still be some in the distribution channels, warehouses, pharmacy stocks, etc., but no more will be produced and the company no longer has any stock themselves.

The reason is simply the awkwardness of managing both brand and generic versions.

 

Aristo Pharma Ltd. supply levothyroxine in the UK packaged in two ways - one generic and one branded. The tablets are absolutely identical whichever packaging.

 Images of Aristo branded and generic packaging

Both products have the same PL 40546/0159.


Aristo Levothyroxine 

PIP 123-4418

GTIN 4251575902701 (from 26-08-2019 Levothyroxine)

SNOMED 37577911000001106

Vencamil

PIP 423-2757

GTIN 4251575905429 (from 06-02-2023 Vencamil)

SNOMED 41433111000001107

This information is directly from Aristo Pharma:

The ONLY way of any patient being guaranteed to receive our version of levothyroxine is for it to be prescribed by brand.

The listing that doctors therefore need to choose on prescribing systems is;

Vencamil 100micrograms 28 tablets

Note: From early 2024, only Vencamil product is now available. 

Obviously, when new dosages become available, or if you are prescribed two or three months at a time, adjust the details.

Image of an actual prescription for Vencamil
Thanks to Jaydee1507 for NHS prescription detail

(I add: You might be lucky with a prescription written as:

Levothyroxine sodium 100micrograms 28 tablets (Aristo Pharma)

But that is not a reliable approach.)

Further explanation from Aristo:

Historically, because prescribers and patients have requested generic levothyroxine (Aristo) certain prescribing systems have listed it separately as levothyroxine (Aristo) in order to help support its identification and supply. However, generic versions of any medicines should never really be listed specifically on any pharmacy system by their very nature – they are designed to be interchangeable and this is the method in which the NHS encourages competition and keeps costs down.

Whether generic levothyroxine (Aristo) is listed on prescribing systems or not, there is no guarantee it can be supplied due to the fact that pharmacy may not be able to source it from their wholesaler (as they may not buy it).

Currently, we continue to supply generic levothyroxine (Aristo) and will supply it to any wholesaler that wants to buy it although they may choose not to (for various reason).

The only way a pharmacy must source and supply the Aristo version of levothyroxine if it is prescribed by brand ie. Vencamil.

Our intention is to continue to supply both versions of levothyroxine (generic and brand) but, it’s very difficult to avoid the issues you and other patients have encountered in the UK supply system with both versions remaining on the market and available.

Aristo have now informed me that they are reducing availability of the generic version. This is because of issues supplying two differently-named products to the distribution channels and needing doctors to prescribe appropriately.

Updated 2024/04/17

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[i][b]helvella - Prescribing Aristo Levothyroxine and Vencamil[/b]

How prescriptions for Aristo Levothyroxine and Aristo Vencamil need to be written.[/i]

https://helvella.blogspot.com/p/helvella-prescribing-aristo.html

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