An alternate brand of Morphine sulfate 10 mg/mL injection is now available on the PBS

25 January 2013

The current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed brand of morphine sulfate 10mg/mL injection is experiencing a supply shortage.

Morphine is a critical medicine used for the treatment of moderate to severe acute or chronic pain and in the management of patients receiving palliative care in the hospital and home care setting.

In recognition of the critical need for this drug, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended out of session the listing in the general and dental schedules of an alternate brand of morphine sulfate 10 mg/mL injection (Wockhardt).

The Wockhardt brand, as per the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s advice, must only be administered by the intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous routes, and not administered intrathecally or epidurally.

The PBS website will be updated on 1 February 2013 to reflect this new addition. Subscribe to the PBS email list to receive the latest news updates regarding the PBS.

Safety information on this new listing is available on the TGA Website.