Oncology Biologic Shortage: Legacy Organon (Now Merck) Bladder Cancer Tice® BCG Goes To... Allocation For 2019

Over the last few years, (at least) one other manufacturer (Sanofi) quietly stopped making this live attenuated biologic branded by Organon as Tice^® BCG, for cancers, altogether -- keeping only the vaccine-style product line.

That means Merck, as the successor to Organon, via Schering-Plough, became the last man standing in oncology for this difficult to (safely) large scale batch "primordial soup" bladder cancer product line. Here is the notice -- and a bit:

. . . .Tice BCG intravesical injection, Merck, 50 mg, single dose vial, 1 count, NDC 00052-0602-02:

Merck has Tice BCG available on allocation. Beginning January 2, 2019, Merck will cease to accept drop shipment orders for TICE BCG and will move to a direct purchaser allocation model. Wholesalers and distributors will manage the distribution of TICE BCG based on available supply and customers' historical purchasing patterns. . . .

Because of increased global demand, and as the only source of BCG Live (Intravesical) in the United States and many other countries, Merck anticipates supply constraints for Tice BCG in 2019. To minimize disruption to patient care and address the current imbalance between supply and increased global demand, Tice BCG will be under allocation when demand exceeds production plans and available inventory. . . .

Now you know -- out into a warm wet fog, like a soft blanket here, this afternoon. Blogging will be sporadic for the next seven to eight days. . . be excellent to one another. . . smile.

नमस्ते