Shortage in 2003!?

With a google search I just found that there was a Sinemet shortage in the US in 2003 as reported in the fall newsletter of the Parkinsons Disease Foundation:

"Sinemet and Sinemet CR

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) has received numerous calls from patients who are unable to get hold of their Parkinson's medications, Sinemet and Sinemet CR, either at their usual pharmacy or elsewhere. Both medications, but particularly Sinemet CR, have been very hard to find in recent months.

PDF has contacted Bristol-Myers Squibb, the distributor, to determine why these medications have been unavailable to patients. Speaking with a company representative, we learned that: "The current shortage of Sinemet and Sinemet CR is due to manufacturing issues. Bristol-Myers Squibb is working with the manufacturer of the medicines to obtain an appropriate supply of both Sinemet and Sinemet CR."

The company reported that the manufacturing issues are being resolved and that both Sinemet and Sinemet CR are now being distributed. However, due to the backlog of orders, it is likely to be the end of 2003 before supply levels are fully normalized."

http://www.pdf.org/en/fall03_Sinemet

There was nothing else giving more detail about the events in 2003 or now.