Monday, December 14 2009

The National Insurance Property Development Company Ltd (NIPDEC) has blamed the unavailability of the cholesterol treatment and management drug Simvastatin on a deficit in the shipment from the supplier.

It is advising the public that alternatives Lipitor, Crestor and Vitorin, which are not on the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme are available in the public health system, until another supply of Simvastatin arrives at month’s end.

NIPDEC’s advisory follows queries about the shortage of Simvastatin 40 mg in CDAP. The shortage was also highlighted in letters to the Editor. Newsday received a complaint from a central resident who could not get Simvastatin and reported visiting four pharmacies which did not receive any supply.

A pharmacist in San Fernando said an order was placed a month ago but there was no response or shipment.

NIPDEC said an order of 260,000 – ten tablets per box was placed on June 24 with the company Genethics awarded the contract to supply the medication. The delivery date was August 22.

However NIPDEC said, “To date only 99,000 boxes of Simvastatin have been received. NIPDEC was advised by Genethics that the balance would arrive before the end of November 2009. This has not happened.”

Other orders for Simvastatin were placed with supplies awarded at the 2010 tender but these shipments are due to arrive at the end of next month.