‘Life saving’ drug for people with opioid dependency to be pulled from Australia by end of year

The marketing and sale of the long-acting injectable prescription opioid, Sublocade, will end in Australia from 31 December, US pharmaceutical company Indivior has confirmed. Photograph: Chicago Tribune/TNS View image in fullscreen The marketing and sale of the long-acting injectable prescription opioid, Sublocade, will end in Australia from 31 December, US pharmaceutical company Indivior has confirmed. Photograph: Chicago Tribune/TNS ‘Life saving’ drug for people with opioid dependency to be pulled from Australia by end of year Exclusive: Fears that US companies may withdraw more medecines as global markets react to policy changes by the Trump administration A “life saving” drug heavily subsidised for Australians living with opioid dependency will be pulled from the market by the end of the year, causing alarm among doctors and pharmacists. US pharmaceutical company Indivior confirmed the marketing and sale of the long-acting injectable prescription opioid Sublocade would end from 31 December, with a company spokesperson describing it as a “commercial decision”. It comes less than a month after AstraZeneca said it would remove the breast cancer and endometriosis medicine Zoladex, a monthly 3.6mg implant, from the PBS and the private market, similarly citing a lack of commercial viability. The federal health minister Mark Butler said last month drugs pricing was in an enormous state of flux amid US policy changes. Breast cancer and endometriosis drug Zoladex is being pulled from Australia. How will women be affected? Read more “Indivior intends to work with the appropriate authorities and experts in Australia to ensure an orderly transition that minimises disruption,” the spokesperson told Guardian Australia. Sublocade was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2020, and was considered a significant advance in treatment for people living with opioid dependency because other treatments, such as methadone and buprenorphine, require daily or frequent visits to a pharmacy. Sublocade is a long-acting, monthly injection administered at a pharmacy or GP clinic. While there is an alternative monthly injection called Buvidal available through the PBS, Melbourne GP Dr Owen Harris said “in my experience, and in the experience of many others, the Sublocade product is just much better for some people”. “It’s more stable, it lasts longer, people feel better on it, and it really has been life changing for them. Some people can stretch their dose out to once every six weeks, or even longer.” “It, quite honestly, has been life saving and life changing for many of my patients.” A federal health department spokesperson said “any proposed discontinuation of a medicine can cause concern for patients and clinicians”. “Maintaining access to safe, effective and affordable medicines remains a priority,” the spokesperson said. “These are commercial decisions made by private companies, and the Australian government cannot compel a company to continue supply.”