Latest Updates

(Year 2022)


27-Dec-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 567/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Pantoprazole 40mg Injection

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Pantoprazole 40mg Injection. The manufacturer is unable to predict when stocks will resume.Suggested alternative: Esomeprazole 40mg Injection

23-Dec-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 577/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Normal Immunoglobulin 2.5g Injection

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Normal Immunoglobulin 2.5g Injection while stocks are expected to resume in January 2023.Pharmacy shall be restricting supply to patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Kawasaki Disease and critical cases only.

19-Dec-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 568/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Cetirizine 10mg Tablet

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Cetirizine 10mg Tablet. The manufacturer is unable to predict when stocks will resume.Suggested alternative: Loratadine 10mg Tablet

09-Dec-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 552/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Co-Amoxiclav 1200mg Injection

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Co-Amoxiclav 1200mg Injection while new stocks are expected to arrive end of December 2022.Suggested alternative: Ampicillin 1000mg Sulbactam 500mg Injection

06-Dec-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 546/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Diphenhydramine 14mg/5mL Oral Preparation (Syrup)

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Diphenhydramine 14mg/5mL Syrup while new stocks are expected to arrive end of December 2022.Suggested alternative: Ammonium Ipecacuanha Mixture

16-Nov-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 500/2022)

Change in Strength: Brimonidine Ophthalmic Solution

❗️ New Strength:-Previously : Brimonidine 0.15% Ophthalmic Solution❗️Now : Brimonidine 0.1% Ophthalmic Solution
There new formulation will have the same effectiveness as the older formulation and hence no dosage adjustment is needed.

25-Oct-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 457/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection (10mL)

Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection (10mL) while new stocks are expected to arrive mid of November 2022.Suggested alternative: Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection (100mL)

25-Oct-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 453/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Atropine 1% Ophthalmic Preparation

The supplier updated that the supply disruption is due to the delay in shipment from manufacturer and the existing stocks in our Pharmacy have been depleted.New stocks are expected to arrive end of March 2023.

17-Oct-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 441/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Tropicamide 1% Ophthalmic Preparation

The supplier updated that the supply disruption is due to the delay in shipment from manufacturer and the existing stocks in our Pharmacy have been depleted.New stocks are expected to arrive end of March 2023.

04-Oct-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 421/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Lidocaine 2% Chlorhexidine 0.05% Gel

The supplier updated that the supply disruption is due to raw material issues and the existing stocks in our Pharmacy have been depleted.New stocks are expected to arrive end of October 2022.

13-Sep-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 387/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Ampicillin 1000mg Sulbactam 500mg Injection

Supplier updated that the new stocks are expected to arrive in four to six weeks time and the existing stocks in the Pharmacy are currently at the minimal level.Existing stocks will be reserved for patients with a positive culture for Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii only.Suggested alternative: Co-Amoxiclav 1200mg Injection

13-Sep-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 382/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Escitalopram 10mg Tablet

As the manufacturer is facing raw material issues, the manufacturer is unable to predict when stocks will resume.The existing stocks in our Pharmacy have been depleted.

05-Sep-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 366/2022)

Deletion of Drug from Formulary: Acarbose 100mg Tablet

The Acarbose 100mg Tablet will be replaced with Empagliflozin 25mg Tablet in the UMMC Formulary.

29-Aug-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 359/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Phenylephrine 2.5% Eye Drops

Supply disruption is due to the delay in shipment from manufacturer.

24-Aug-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 348/2022)

Oral Prednisolone Dose Changes for Imaging with Contrast Media


❗️ New Dosage:-Adults : 40mg per dose, to take 12 hours and 2 hours before imaging.Pediatrics : 1.25mg/kg per dose (maximum 40mg), to take 12 hours and 2 hours before imaging.

19-Aug-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 341/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Clobetasone Butyrate 0.05% Cream

Supply disruption is due to the supply interruption of raw materials by the supplier.New stocks are expected to arrive early September 2022.Suggested alternative: Betamethasone Valerate 0.02% Cream or Hydrocortisone 1% Cream

02-Aug-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 326/2022)

Medication Changes in Code Blue Box: Ephedrine Injection to Phenylephrine Injection

Referring to the previous circular NO. SP PPUM: 140/2022 regarding Ephedrine 30mg/1mL Injection's supply disruption, the existing stocks in the Pharmacy have been depleted.All Ephedrine 30mg/1mL Injections in the Code Blue Box will be temporarily replaced with Phenylephrine 10mg/1mL Injection until the supply for Ephedrine Injection resumes.

26-Jul-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 315/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Ampicillin 1000mg Sulbactam 500mg Injection

New stocks are expected to arrive in two to three weeks time and the existing stocks in the Pharmacy are currently at the minimal level.Existing stocks will be reserved for patients with a positive culture for Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.Suggested alternative: Co-Amoxiclav 1200mg Injection

14-Jul-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 285/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Metoclopromide 10mg/2mL Injection

New stocks are expected to arrive in two to three weeks time and the existing stocks in the Pharmacy are currently at the minimal level.Ward supply will be ceased until the Pharmacy has received new stocks.Suggested alternative: Metoclopromide 10mg Tablet or Prochlorperazine 12.5mg Injection

05-Jul-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 278/2022)

New Warning, Precaution and Dose Modification Guidance: Alectinib 150mg Hard Capsule

This circular is to share the latest management of Haemolytic Anaemia by Roche Malaysia.Kindly refer to the email for details.

04-Jul-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 276/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Pantoprazole 40mg Injection

New stocks are expected to arrive in two weeks time and the existing stocks in the Pharmacy are currently at the minimal level.Existing stocks will be reserved for patients with Active Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding only.Suggested alternative: Ranitidine 50mg Injection or Omeprazole 20mg Capsule

01-Jul-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 270/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Leuprorelin 11.25mg Depot Injection

Supply disruption is due to global shortage and the existing stocks for Leuprorelin 11.25mg Depot Injection had depleted.Doctors are suggested to consider using Leuprorelin 3.75mg Depot Injection for the time being whilst awaiting the procurement of Triptorelin 11.25mg Injection.

17-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 250/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Amitriptyline 10mg Tablet and Amitriptyline 25mg Tablet

New stocks are predicted to arrive in Jul-2022.

16-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 247/2022)

Medication Supply Resume: Human Albumin 20% Injection

We are pleased to inform that Human Albumin 20% Injection is available and the existing stocks for Human Albumin 25% Injection had depleted.All new prescriptions and ongoing prescriptions for Human Albumin 25% Injection will need to be changed to Human Albumin 20% Injection.

10-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 231/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Fluticasone 125mcg Inhaler

Fluticasone 125mg Inhaler will be temporarily replaced with Budesonide 200mcg Inhaler effective immediately.
1 puff of Fluticasone 125mcg Inhaler is equivalent to 1 puff of Budesonide 200mcg Inhaler
This conversion was agreed with the Respiratory Medicine Specialist and will be done automatically for prescription refills.

03-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 231/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Mepivacaine 2% with Adrenaline 1:100,000 Injection

Suggested alternative: Lidocaine Injection.

03-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 229/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Human Albumin 20% Injection

Human Albumin 20% Injection will be replaced with Human Albumin 25% Injection temporarily due to supply disruption.
Human Albumin 20% Injection: 10g/50mLHuman Albumin 25% Injection: 12.5g/50mL
All doctors and nurses must be aware that there will be changes in the dose calculation when prescribing or administering Human Albumin 25% Injection.Suggested dosage if 1g/kg/day is required:-
Human Albumin 20% Injection: 5mL/kg/dayHuman Albumin 25% Injection: 4mL/kg/day

01-Jun-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 226/2022)

Deletion of Drug from Formulary: Neurobion Tablet

The Neurobion Tablet will be replaced with Bionerv Tablet effective immediately.

13-Apr-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 140/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Ephedrine 30mg/1mL Injection

Supply disruption is due to supplier issues.The alternative supply is predicted to arrive in stages by May-2022.Stocks in the Pharmacy are at a minimum level.Suggested alternative: Noradrenaline 4mg/4mL Injection

07-Apr-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 126/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Normal Immunoglobulin 2.5g Injection (Updated)

With reference to the previous circular (No. SP PPUM: 038/2022), we are still facing supply disruption and the stocks in the Pharmacy are at a very critical level.Doctors are suggested to postpone IVIG treatment for elective cases as Pharmacy shall be restricting supply to patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Kawasaki Disease and critical cases only.

02-Mar-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 084/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Orphenadrine 60mg/2mL Injection

The existing stocks that the Pharmacy Department had expired in Feb-2022.New stocks are predicted to arrive either in Apr-2022 or in May-2022.

02-Mar-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 083/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Phenobarbital 200mg/1mL Injection

New stocks are predicted to arrive either in Apr-2022 or in May-2022.Suggested alternative: Phenytoin 250mg Injection

10-Feb-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 053/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Amoxicillin 875mg Clavulanate 125mg Tablet

Supply disruption is due to temporary out of stock.Supplier is unable to predict when the stocks will resume.Suggested alternative: to add Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules to Amoxicillin 500mg Clavulanate 125mg Tablets

10-Feb-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 052/2022)

Deletion of Drug from Formulary: Etomidate 20mg/10mL Injection

Supply disruption is due to manufacturing issues.Supplier is unable to predict when the stocks will resume and hence it was decided that the Pharmacy Department will permanently stop the procurement of this drug.

31-Jan-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 038/2022)

Medication Supply Disruption: Normal Immunoglobulin 2.5g Injection

Supply disruption is due to increased global usage.Supplier predicts that limited stocks will arrive in stages by Feb-2022, however there is no confirmation when stocks will be replenished.Pharmacy shall be restricting supply to patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and Kawasaki Disease only for the time being.

11-Jan-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 012/2022)

Sennosides 7.5mg Tablet

In the midst of LPO (Local Purchase Order) process - will take time for its approval and subsequently its distribution to the Pharmacy Department.Suggested alternatives: Lactulose Solution, Bisacodyl 5mg Tablets

11-Jan-2022 (NO. SP PPUM: 011/2022)

Oestrogen (Conjugated) 0.625mg per G Vaginal Cream

Global shortage and no equivalent alternatives in the UMMC Formulary. Supplier predicts that stocks will resume by Feb-2022.