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September 22, 2014
IMPORTANT BACKORDER INFORMATION
SUBJECT: Update regarding the backorder of OncoTICE® (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
(BCG), Strain TICE®)
Communication to Health Care Professionals:
We want to update you regarding the backorder of OncoTICE®. The shipments based on the
allocation according to each customer’s historical average consumption are almost complete.
Nearly all of the OncoTICE® units we received the week of September 15 have been shipped.
We are in contact with the remaining customers to ensure they receive their allocation in a timely
manner.
We expect to receive a new batch of OncoTICE® by the end of October. By the end of this week,
we will have more precise information regarding the shipping date and quantity of vials available
for Canada. Another update will be sent at that time.
However, until we have a steady, stable supply of OncoTICE®, we will have to continue to
allocate quantities. At this time, Merck Canada cannot comment on the expected duration of this
allocation process.
Merck has been working very diligently to increase the supply of this important medicine and is
committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible.
Should you have any questions or require additional information concerning OncoTICE®, please
contact our Medical Information Centre at 1-800-567-2594.
Sincerely yours,
Marketing Manager, Oncology
Merck Canada Inc.Thank you Jack. Receiving updates like this is very helpful.
As I read I keep looking for what is the issue…ie. FDA enforcement, inventory management, shift of resources, etc. I suspect this information is on a selective basis.
Rick
The shortage is definitely affecting a lot of people. As our good news for my dad was that he would be able to do the BCG treatment rather than full bladder removal was followed by the doctor now suggesting a full bladder removal based on the fact that he can only have 30% of his BCG treatments. It seems very radical and surprising to us that because of the shortage the doctor moved directly to a full bladder removal. Wondering if anyone else has run into this?
It certainly seems quick given that the recommended approach is reduced dosage to 1/3. Each case may be different so your Urologist would take that into consideration.
If it were me, I would seek another opinion (assuming you haven’t already) and I’m sure your doctor will understand fully.
If you decide to seek another opinion and need guidance/name, I am sure Jack Moon at BCC would be able to help you.
It is certainly stressful knowing the success rate of BCG and yet it is in limited supply as is the case right now.
Best wishes for a most favourable outcome,
Rick
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