We just experienced in France a shortage of Mestinon which lasted about 3 weeks...and I don't know what caused it.
I'm not sure Valeant is still producing it, my last prescription for Timespan has been with MEDA (Bad Homburg, Germany) instead of Valeant.
My neuro prescribed Mytelase just in case the shortage would have lasted, but I didn't need it.
Maurice.

The FDA orange book shows...

Valeant still listed here in US.
Also one tablet form 60mg by Corepharma (generic)
and 60mg tablet by Impax (generic)
I couldn't find any patent change over listed on the net.
But supplies do get interrupted when patents change hands.
This is because a new NDC is issued, so the item must be ordered with the new NDC code. Pharmacies don't always get notified, esp with a product that is not a fast mover, etc.

Many companies market things in non US markets owned by US companies. For example, Merck sells levothyroxine tablets everywhere but not in US.

Thanks everyone for your concern. I rang around several pharmacies in a small city(well I call it a big town, cos really its not that big!!) near to where I live. One lady got my hopes up, she said "10mg or 60mg" but alas no one had any, one lady laughed, and the others didn't know what it was.
So I rang my neuro, and he left me a message, he had put in a script to the public hospital up there, and I should have it early next week. He was quite annoyed that there was a shortage, exasperated might be a better word, but was reasuring that it would arrive.
So thanks again everyone for your concern, I will keep you updated
Kate

Yes! The refridgerator is an excellent place to keep mestinon. I live in the south where it gets HOT in the summer and it stores great in there. It is great not having to deal with a crumbly mess when taking them.

Kristy

Guys, If you go to this site and click on the "prescribing information" and scan down to the HOW SUPPLIED section, you will see that you are supposed to store Mestinon syrup, tablets and Timespan tablets at 25 degrees Celcius (77 F). They say "excursions permitted" to 15 C (59 F - 86 F).

http://mestinon.com/

Sorry, Kristy, but putting any Mestinon in the fridge will most likely compromise the effectiveness of it. How about a dark closet that is more than likely cooler than the air temperature?

I know it's hard to read that prescribing info that is in 2 pt. type that comes with drugs but you absolutely have to!!! Valeant has a PDF that is in large type and is easy to read.

Kate, I often have to order my Mestinon in advance (like 2 weeks) so they can get a drop shipment from either Valeant or a larger supplier.

Annie

Yeees I think from now on I will order it a few weeks in advance, but because it was the end of the year, and the fact that because I was on free prescriptions, I didn't want to get tablets I didn't really need straight away. Baaad mistake, now I will get my mestinon no matter what, I know at least my pharmisist will be understanding.
kate

hi Kate
I'm in Melbourne and still can't get any mestinon do you know the reason for the shortage i'm fast running out.Rather scary i have been relying on this drug to fuction for 27 years.

Pauline

It's so odd that you're having a shortage on Mestinon. Right now, I'm having a problem with there being a shortage of CycloSporine. It comes in Modified, and Unmodified. Well, I can't have the Unmodified, but the Modified I can, so guess which one is out of stock, and maybe out for a few months? Yes that's right, the Modified. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Hope you don't have any future problems with there being a shortage.
It's a real concern to our health.
Love Lizzie

Pauline & Lizzie, I hope you get your meds soon! Can your pharmacists or doctors write to the manufacturers who make the drugs? Or if your pharmacy is a chain, can they try to get some from one of the other stores? Let us know how you make out.

Hugs,
Pat

I just thought I would chip in here as there has been a lot of coverage in the UK press recently about certain drugs being in short supply here. Mestinon hasn't been mentioned its things like cyclosporine etc and asthma inhalers.

What has been happening here is due to the currency exchange as the pound has been weak, so they have been buying meds cheap in this country then selling them on to make a profit on it abroad. One hospital trust had made over £400,000 in a year. The government is now stepping in to stop this practice.

I wonder how many other places around the world have been doing the same thing?

Love
Rach