NEUPOGEN BACK-ORDER

 

We understand that there have been manufacturing difficulties at Amgen that affect the supply of Neupogen vials, leading to the medication being back-ordered at some pharmacies. Manufacturing / supply chain issues frequently take weeks to resolve. Once Amgen again has a supply of Neupogen vials it will be provided to pharmacies and available to patients, including for those participating in the KnippeRx/Amgen program (see note below).

 

In the meantime, we recommend that patients/families discuss an alternative plan with their hematologist as each patient’s treatment and needs are unique. This will likely require patients to temporarily change their GCSF formulation from Neupogen to whatever product their insurance covers. Most insurance carriers specify a “biosimilar” GCSF such as Granix, Nivestym, Releuko, or Zarxio as a preferred/covered medication. These GCSF products are just as effective as Neupogen. Please note that Zarxio only comes in pre-filled syringes, not vials, so it is not appropriate for most patients who are drawing their dose up from a vial as the lowest dose that can be administered is 180 mcg and then only in increasing 60 mcg increments.

GCSF medications frequently require prior authorization from insurance carriers. Patient will then also need to set up an account and arrange delivery from a specialty pharmacy, so this process can take several days.

Patients may also be responsible for any copays or out of pocket expenses required by their prescription coverage. The manufacturers of the different GCSF formulations have patient financial assistance programs that you can apply to. SCNIR staff can provide more information about these programs. 

 

NOTE for those who participate in the Neupogen program through KnippeRx/Amgen: The provision of Neupogen from Amgen through the KnippeRx pharmacy was part of the prior University of Washington SCNIR that was discontinued (as far as new patients being able to enroll) a few years prior to the registry closing in Seattle. The maintenance of the program for previous participants has continued independent of the SCNIR. The partnership between the SCNIR and Amgen ended prior to the transfer of the SCNIR to Boston. Patients on the prior Seattle/Amgen program will continue to receive through that program as long as their prescriptions are renewed regularly, subject to the same interruptions described above. 

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