Australia secures supply of drug that treats arthritis and Covid

Health Minister Greg Hunt has secured an extra supply of a rheumatoid arthritis drug to treat critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Australia has cinched additional supply of a drug used to treat juvenile arthritis amid a global shortage sparked by its off-label use in critically-ill Covid-19 patients.

Manufacturer Roche previously flagged a shortage of tocilizumab – sold under the brand name Actemra – with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which this month said supply would be “extremely limited” until early next year.

The shortage saw stock reduced to 25 per cent of usual levels for public hospitals and 10 per cent for private hospitals and community pharmacy.

But a deal struck by Health Minister Greg Hunt will see additional supply expedited for both Covid and arthritis patients.

Health Minister Greg Hunt helped expedite additional supply of tocilizumab. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

“The TGA has been working closely with Roche, wholesalers, state and territory health departments, health professionals and consumer organisations to manage supply and communicate to doctors and patients,” Mr Hunt said.

“I have met with the Australian chief executive of Roche and have also written directly to the Global chief executive of Roche to formally request that the company expedite additional supply of tocilizumab to Australian public hospitals and pharmacies.

“I am delighted that they have been able to secure supply after close engagement with the Australian Government. This will not only provide continuity of supply and medicine for arthritis patients but also peace of mind.”

In a letter to global Roche boss Severin Schwan dated September 24, Mr Hunt said supply wasn’t just crucial for treatment of Covid.

“Of additional concern it is having an impact on the treatment of conditions ... such as various forms of arthritis including juvenile idiopathic arthritis,” he wrote.

Tocilizumab is approved for use by the TGA and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of certain inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Although its use in Covid patients is approved by the TGA, the drug is being used off-label at the direction of doctors.

The Covid pandemic has caused a major shortage of tocilizumabab. Picture: Tim Hunter.

In a joint statement with the Australian Rheumatology Association, the Medicine Availability Working Group, the National Pharmaceutical Services Association and Roche, the TGA on September 8 said stock should be prioritised for some patients.

“Clinicians should prioritise use of their existing and new stock for the priority conditions ... Cytokine Release Syndrome, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis,” it said.

“Although treatment of patients with Covid-19 is not a registered indication, patients in intensive care who are mechanically ventilated or unable to take alternative treatments are also considered high-priority to receive intravenoustocilizumab.”

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