Abbvie Canada has reversed the decision to discontinue VIBERZI

[Jeffrey Roberts]

That is brilliant and really more information than any of us have ever received!

🌟 Well done 🌟

 

[Annie Brohman]

That is fantastic news if it’s true.🙏🙏🙏 hopefully we can  continue to get this drug in Canada 🇨🇦.

[danb]

More good news. This morning I received another email from Health Canada. Much of it is the same as the email I received from them via my member of parliament's office, which I shared here on September 11. But this time Health Canada included a more definitive statement about their intention to keep Viberzi available in Canada by extending the ‘Date after which drug may no longer be imported’ on the List of Drugs for Exceptional Importation and Sale. From this morning's email:

Quote

The ‘Date after which drug may no longer be imported’ on the List of Drugs for Exceptional Importation and Sale allowing AbbVie to import US-authorized Viberzi into Canada is currently listed as January 1, 2024. The January 1, 2024 date will be extended as necessary to facilitate continued and uninterrupted access to Viberzi in Canada.

Below I copied the entire email they sent to me this morning:

Quote

Good morning,

Thank you for your correspondence concerning the availability of VIberzi.

Health Canada recognizes how important Viberzi is to the many Canadian patients who rely on it in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Ensuring the people of Canada can get the medicines they need is one of Health Canada’s top priorities.

AbbVie is reporting shortages of their two strengths (75mg and 100mg) of Viberzi. The company reported that the shortages began in July and September 2022 with an unknown end-date. This is due to a shortage of one of the medicinal ingredients that is used to make the product.

As you are aware, to help mitigate the impacts of the shortage, Health Canada authorised AbbVie’s proposal to import US-authorized Viberzi into Canada. This is an exceptional and temporary measure to help maintain the supply of the drug for people requiring this drug in Canada.

The ‘Date after which drug may no longer be imported’ on the List of Drugs for Exceptional Importation and Sale allowing AbbVie to import US-authorized Viberzi into Canada is currently listed as January 1, 2024. The January 1, 2024 date will be extended as necessary to facilitate continued and uninterrupted access to Viberzi in Canada.

Health Canada is closely monitoring the availability of the drug and is actively following up with the AbbVie and our health care system partners to determine when Canadian authorized product is back in sufficient supply to consider the product out of shortage.

Sincerely, 

Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch
Health Canada / Government of Canada