Mircera: manufacturer advises switch to alternative owing to stock shortage

31 July 2012

Roche has announced a shortage of methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera) owing to manufacturing issues.

Methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta is a long-acting analogue of erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells | SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Roche has sent a letter to all healthcare professionals advising that it is expecting to run out of stock entirely and is therefore recommending that patients be switched to an alternative erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.

Advice to clinicians

Mircera is licensed for the treatment of symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease in adults. Healthcare professionals are advised not to initiate treatment with Mircera in new patients and to clinically assess patients currently receiving Mircera to identify a suitable alternative product. Close monitoring of haemoglobin levels and for immunological reactions is recommended when switching.

Alternative preparations

Other erythropoietin products that are licensed for the same indication as Mircera include darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), epoetin alfa (Binocrit, Eprex), epoetin beta (NeoRecormon), epoetin theta (Eporatio) and epoetin zeta (Retacrit).

View Mircera drug records

Further information: Roche Products Ltd