Methotrexate - supply shortage
Ongoing
methotrexate
ShortageHuman
Shortage information
Methotrexate is used for two different groups of indications:
- different types of cancer;
- inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn’s disease.
There have been an unexpected increase in demand for methotrexate injections and delays in production which have led to supply shortages in some European countries.
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Romania.
EMA’s SPOC working party is closely monitoring the supply situation and engaging with the marketing authorisation holders and other stakeholders to identify measures to mitigate the impact of the supply shortage.
The SPOC working party is responsible for monitoring and reporting events that could affect the supply of medicines in the EU.
- Different manufacturing issues are affecting the supply of methotrexate injections in some European countries.
- Before starting treatment, healthcare professionals should ensure that sufficient supplies are available to complete the treatment (especially for the use in cancer).
- In case of supply shortages, healthcare professionals should consider alternative treatment options for their patients.
- Please consult your national shortage register for further advice, including advice on alternatives.
- Different manufacturing issues are affecting the supply of methotrexate injections in some European countries.
- Your doctor will check that there are sufficient supplies available before starting treatment, especially if you are being treated for cancer.
- In case methotrexate injections become unavailable, your doctor will discuss possible alternatives with you.
- Please consult your national shortage register for further advice, including advice on alternatives.
Key facts
- Medicines affected
- Methotrexate
- Supply shortage status
- Ongoing
- International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name
- methotrexate
- Therapeutic area (MESH)
- Cancer
- Neoplasms
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
- Arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Crohn Disease
- Pharmaceutical forms affected
- Solution for injection
- Strengths affected
- Various
- Availability of alternatives
- Yes
Key dates
- First published