Patients being treated with Testogel (1% transdermal testosterone gel) will have to switch to an alternative product because the sachet formulation is now out of stock for months, the manufacturer says.

Besins Healthcare is advising patients using Testogel to visit their treating clinician as soon as possible to get a new prescription for its metered dose pump presentation of the product because of global disruption in supply of the transdermal gel.

“Patients with scripts for Testogel sachets must see their prescribing doctor without delay in order to switch to the pump presentation and ensure continuity of treatment,” said Geoff Blundell, Managing Director of Besins Healthcare.

“Patients may obtain this new prescription from their GP without revisiting a specialist. GPs will need to ring the PBS approvals line and quote the name of the original specialist to obtain a new Authority Required approval.,” he added in a statement issued on 13 March.

The Testogel sachet shortage follows the sudden withdrawal of  the competitor topical testosterone, Axiron roll-on solution, in December 2017.

At that time Besins urged Axiron patients to switch to its testosterone pump product as the preferred option as it anticipated shortages with the sachet.

Mr Blundell stressed that Testogel sachets were not being discontinued and there were no supply problems with the pump presentation of Testogel.