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.
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.
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]
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