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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PeterMartin on April 4, 2018, at 2:25:10
I took Marplan for 7yrs but recently had to switch when my gfs insurance said they'd be longer cover. I applied for their patient assistance program and would have been eligible but at the time (Feb) the small company (Validus) that makes it told me they were running low so they weren't approving new people for the free medicine program. They lady in the office also told me at the time there were only 80 or so bottles in the US and she didn't know when they'd get more (contract issues she said).
So I switched and I'm still adjusting to Nardil but I randomly searched for Marplan by date just now and came across this Reddit post. The lady said her husband is unable to get it at any pharmacies. If you take it and your local one has some cauuse you order it often it might be worth picking up what they have now.
https://www.reddit.com/r/pharmacy/comments/845d55/marplan_shortage/
"My husband takes Marplan 30mg twice a day for depression. It's the 18th anti-depressant he's tried and it's working for now! However, now we can't refill his script. The manufacturer told me that the last batch they made was crumbling apart and they had to throw it away. She said she knows that no wholesalers have the med, but it could be on the shelf at some pharmacies."
Posted by PeterMartin on April 4, 2018, at 2:31:48
In reply to Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 4, 2018, at 2:25:10
Speaking of Marplan I have a question I wanted to ask for a while:
Since it was originally marketed in the 60s (and must be we off patient) could a generic company just decide to start making it? Or does that opportunist company Validus (who is the current "brand" and only maker in the US) somehow have exclusive rights to prevent a generic at this point? I know it might not be worthwhile for a company to make a generic version but it seems like there may be some reason why they can't also. Can someone explain it to me like I'm five?
Thanks!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 4, 2018, at 16:19:24
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 4, 2018, at 2:31:48
A generics manufacturer could decide to produce it. They would need to get their product approved, however, before they could sell it. A dossier would need to be submitted to the FDA with all the necessary data - showing things like bioequivalance studies versus the reference brand etc. The FDA would then decide whether data were satisfactory to support approval.
Posted by baseball55 on April 4, 2018, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by ed_uk2010 on April 4, 2018, at 16:19:24
there are a lot of older drugs that aren't used much anymore, so no new generic firms want the headache of getting approved. Marplan seems to be one of these drugs.
I was shocked when my insurer added a deductible to my drug plan to find that parnate retailed at about $150 for 120 pills. Once the deductible is met, I get it for $10/month, but clearly there's not much competition in the generic parnate market. And why would there be? it's rarely used these days.
Posted by beckett2 on April 4, 2018, at 19:58:09
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 4, 2018, at 2:31:48
> Speaking of Marplan I have a question I wanted to ask for a while:
>
> Since it was originally marketed in the 60s (and must be we off patient) could a generic company just decide to start making it? Or does that opportunist company Validus (who is the current "brand" and only maker in the US) somehow have exclusive rights to prevent a generic at this point? I know it might not be worthwhile for a company to make a generic version but it seems like there may be some reason why they can't also. Can someone explain it to me like I'm five?
>
> Thanks!
Is it available in the US?
Posted by PeterMartin on April 5, 2018, at 2:59:55
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage..... » PeterMartin, posted by beckett2 on April 4, 2018, at 19:58:09
> > Speaking of Marplan I have a question I wanted to ask for a while:
> >
> > Since it was originally marketed in the 60s (and must be we off patient) could a generic company just decide to start making it? Or does that opportunist company Validus (who is the current "brand" and only maker in the US) somehow have exclusive rights to prevent a generic at this point? I know it might not be worthwhile for a company to make a generic version but it seems like there may be some reason why they can't also. Can someone explain it to me like I'm five?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>
> Is it available in the US?Usually yes but only by Validus (one company) who has jacked the price up a ton. Over $1500 a month I think for even the 40mg min therapeutic dose. If your insurance covers its ok. They do have a coupon which helps (and onfound out later can be reused if you just print it again - ugh).
But at the moment? No according to the reddit post and what I have heard only pharmacies w stock (very few if any) would have it. Manufacturer is having issues and no timeline for when they'll get a new supply :(
Posted by PeterMartin on April 5, 2018, at 3:01:22
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by ed_uk2010 on April 4, 2018, at 16:19:24
Thanks for the explanation on the genetic btw. I wish it was a cheap as it should be. Probably pennies to make.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2018, at 18:32:40
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 5, 2018, at 3:01:22
>I wish it was a cheap as it should be. Probably pennies to make.
To be honest, it's only viable to sell meds cheaply when they are at least moderately high volume.
Marplan is exceptionally low volume / slow moving. As such, the manufacturing process and distribution is relatively expensive per unit.
Essentially, if the manufacturer had to sell it for pennies, they would probably just discontinue the product.
I'm not saying they should be charging ridiculous amounts! But, it does have the advantage of encouraging them to keep making it. The high price suggests that they may work on resolving the manufacturing issue. If the price was forced down, they would probably move to a discontinuation rather than a resolution.
Posted by PeterMartin on April 15, 2018, at 19:55:22
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 5, 2018, at 3:01:22
Drugs.com official post about this Marplan shortage. Resolution time still unknown :-(
https://www.drugs.com/drug-shortages/isocarboxazid-tablets-411
Isocarboxazid Tablets
Last Updated: April 11, 2018
Status: CurrentIsocarboxazid Tablets
Products Affected - Description
Marplan oral tablet, Validus Pharmaceuticals, 10 mg, bottle, 100 count, NDC 30698-0032-01
Reason for the Shortage
Validus has Marplan tablets on shortage due to manufacturing delays.
Estimated Resupply Dates
Validus has Marplan on back order and the company cannot estimate a release date.
Updated
Created April 11, 2018 by Michelle Wheeler, PharmD, Drug Information Specialist. Copyright 2018, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Posted by Bmac on August 12, 2018, at 19:10:13
In reply to Re: Marplan shortage....., posted by PeterMartin on April 15, 2018, at 19:55:22
Could this be part of Marplan shortage? Amneal manufactures it.
This is the end of the thread.
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