Laura,
The original announcement by Merck was an EU wide announcement, that said there would be a 'world wide' shortage running from late 2009 through till 2011. We are unaware of what is happening in non-english speaking countries, or countries that have no socialized or insurance based health systems. I do not believe that this is a matter relating to ex british territory as the the notices relating to shortage appear to come from Merck and it's subsidiaries. It would seem likely at the moment that this is some kind of bidding up strategy that pharma is using. The possible connection to Britain is health service style, with Canada having something fairly similar to the UK, and Australia having something halfway between the US and UK model. If there is no real shortage, and this is bidding up, then surely there should be some kind of regulatory org, perhaps the WHO, with some kind of watchdog capacity. I am as stated in other posts, completely bewildered by this. At this time none of it makes sense.

While there are other levodopa based medications available the problem comes for those patients who are settled on a particular regime AND who have not found benefit from generic substitutes, OR who have great difficulties changing medications resulting in weeks of adjustment. Also for the elderly who may not be in charge of their own regimen of drugs, in whom any deterioration may not even be connected by their carers to a change in medication.

Down through the rabbit hole again.............