Unavailable Treatments

Following ongoing availability issues with Bettamousse 0.1% Cutaneous Foam (betamethasone valerate) the manufacturer of Bettamousse, RPH Pharmaceuticals AB, contacted us with an update in February 2020.

RPH confirmed that new stocks of Bettamousse Foam are due to arrive by the end of February, following some challenges with transport to the UK from its manufacturing site in Switzerland. As such, Bettamousse is expected to return to stock in late February 2020.

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 0845 023 0467, or by email at customer.care@recipharm.com.

In February 2020, we contacted Alliance Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the medicated scalp shampoo, Ceanel Concentrate, for an update on the product which has been unavailable since 2018. They confirmed that they are still unable to source the raw materials required for its manufacture and, as such, Ceanel remains out of production and is unlikely to be available again in the near future.

In the meantime, Alliance Pharma recommends that anyone affected by the unavailability of Ceanel Shampoo discusses suitable alternatives with their GP or Pharmacist.

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 01249 466 966, or by email at medinfo@alliancepharma.co.uk.

In January 2020 we contacted Galderma, the manufacturer of the urea and lactic acid based cream, Calmurid, regarding issues with its availability.

Galderma confirmed that Calmurid has been discontinued, and their medical information team offered the following statement:

'I can confirm that due to a number of reasons wholly beyond our control and after careful consideration of all possible options, a company decision at global level has been taken to discontinue all strengths of Calmurid.

One ingredient of Calmurid (DEA (diethanolamine) and Cocamide DEA) has triggered a safety concern via the regulatory authorities. As safety is our primary priority, Calmurid will not be further produced.

We apologise most sincerely for any inconvenience caused by this and thank you for your understanding.'

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 01923 208 950, or by email at info.uk@galderma.com.

Following a recent enquiry into the availability of Dovobet Ointment (calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment) we contacted the manufacturers, LEO Pharma, in January 2020.

LEO confirmed that they are currently experiencing supply issues with Dovobet 60g and expect resupply soon. Based on this, they anticipate that Dovobet Ointment 60g will return to pharmacies within a month.

Please note that Dovobet Ointment also comes in 30g and 120g quantities, so if you are having difficulty obtaining the product, ask your GP if you can have a prescription for another size.  

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 01844 347 333, or by email at medical-info.uk@leo-pharma.com.

In January 2020, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique, the manufacturer of topical corticosteroid treatment, Clarelux foam, contacted us with an update on the availability of the product.

They confirmed that stocks of the product, which were expected to return to pharmacies in January 2020, have been delayed, and they do not know when Clarelux will return to stock.

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 0208 731 3322, or by email at medicalinformation@pierre-fabre.co.uk.

We contacted Omega Pharma Ltd, the Market Authorisation Holder of Alphosyl 2 in 1 Medicated Shampoo, in early January 2020 following enquiries about product availability.

Omega confirmed that they are currently experiencing supply issues with the coal-tar based shampoo. They told us that Alphosyl is expected to return to market by the end of February 2020.

If you have any questions or would like further information, you can contact Omega Pharma by phone on +44 (0) 203 598 9603 (Customer Care) or email at UKLOcustomerservice@perrigo.com (medical information).

In early January 2020 we contacted Teva UK Limited, the manufacturer of Exorex Moisturising Cream, to ask for an update following a recent enquiry regarding availability issues with the product.

Teva UK confirmed that Exorex Moisturising Cream is currently unavailable in both 100g and 250g sizes due to a manufacturing delay. They said that the product should be back in stock by the end of February 2020.

Please note that this update refers to Exorex Moisturising Cream only, there are no issues with the availability of Exorex Lotion.

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 0800 590 502 (stock availability), or by email at medinfo@tevauk.com (medical information).

In July 2019 we learned that Thornton and Ross Ltd had announced the withdrawal of Aquamol Emollient Cream from manufacture due to poor demand for the product.

They told the Psoriasis Association 'the minimum volumes that we have to produce on a production run are far higher than demand and as such it wasn't viable to continue producing the product'.

If anyone has any questions, or would like to know more you can get in touch with the manufacturer directly either by phone on 01484 848 164, or by email at thorntonross@medinformation.co.uk. 

We advise anyone affected by the discontinuation of Aquamol Emollient Cream to speak to their GP about alternative emollients that are available.

In Jun 2019, LEO Pharma announced plans to phase out its Dovobet Gel (calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate gel) applicator from the beginning of summer 2019 in the UK, and autumn 2019 in Ireland. This decision was taken due to a lack of demand for the applicator. Please note that Dovobet Gel remains available in bottles.

LEO apologised for any inconvenience caused by this product discontinuation, and recommended that anybody affected visits their healthcare professional to discuss their individual needs and preferences for the management of their psoriasis.

If you have any questions or would like further information, the manufacturer can be contacted directly either by phone on 01844 347 333, or by email at medical-info.uk@leo-pharma.com if you are in the UK.

If you are based in Ireland, you can reach LEO Pharma's Medical Information team either by phone on +353 1 490 89, or by email at medical-info.ie@leo-pharma.com.