When did BCG shortage start?
When did the shortage begin? Shortages initially began in 2012 when a Canadian factory (BCG Conaught) discovered mold in their facility. BCG Conaught was forced to close, which stopped BCG production. At that time, the company was the main source for BCG treatment in North America and Europe.
Is there a BCG shortage in Canada?
TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2021 /CNW/ – Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc. is pleased to announce that it has received approval to begin distributing VERITY-BCG™ (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG]: Strain Russian BCG-I). This approval means that hospitals and clinics across Canada will no longer see shortages of this critical drug.
Is BCG available in the US?
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. This vaccine is not widely used in the United States, but it is often given to infants and small children in other countries where TB is common.
Does Bacillus Calmette Guerin?
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is currently the only agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for primary therapy of carcinoma in situ (CIS; see image below) of the bladder. BCG replaced cystectomy as the treatment of choice for CIS in the mid-1980s.
Is BCG available now?
The non–muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment BCG remains in short supply, with Merck currently serving as the sole supplier of the medication in the US.
Who makes Bacillus Calmette Guerin?
Although Merck has boosted its production of BCG by more than 100 percent and is producing the drug to the fullest extent of their manufacturing capacity, they are not able to sustain the increasing global demand of this product. This has led to supply constraints and a BCG shortage.
Who manufactures Bacillus Calmette Guerin?
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, otherwise known as BCG, is a standard treatment option for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Merck & Company is the only maker and supplier of BCG to the United States.
Is gemcitabine the same as BCG?
Authors concluded that gemcitabine is significantly inferior to BCG, but its favorable toxicity profile makes it useful for patients intolerant to BCG. Such data were not confirmed in a recent meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of intravesical gemcitabine with BCG in 386 NMIBC patients.
Why is BCG vaccine not used in the US?
However, BCG is not generally recommended for use in the United States because of the low risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the variable effectiveness of the vaccine against adult pulmonary TB, and the vaccine’s potential interference with tuberculin skin test reactivity.
What is side effect of BCG vaccine?
BCG (TB) vaccine side effects
- soreness or discharge where the injection was given.
- high temperature (fever)
- headache.
- swollen glands under the armpit in the arm where the injection was given.
Why is BCG not available?
Who manufactures the BCG vaccine?
2.1. BCG vaccine formulations
| BCG strain | Mother strain (year of derivation) | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| BCG USA (Tice) | BCG Pasteur (1934) | Merck, USA |