November 21, 2019
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on August 12, 2019 that the demand for Immune Globulin (IG) products has increased resulting in an ongoing shortage of Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) and Subcutaneous Immune Globulin (SCIG) in the United States. This may present the following challenges to patients:
- Patients can’t get their prescribed IVIG or SCIG products at their usual site of care.
- Patients and providers are having a difficult time finding alternative sites of care that have the appropriate IVIG or SCIG product in stock.
- Patients who can’t find sites of care that have their prescribed IVIG/SCIG product in stock are being switched to an alternative IVIG or SCIG product during the shortage.
Premera is taking steps to make sure patients who depend on these drugs maintain access to them. For the duration of the shortage, patients with an approved prior authorization request for an IVIG or SCIG product can receive any IVIG or SCIG product at any appropriate site of service (per the medical policy).
We’re encouraging our customers to speak with their provider if they have concerns about being affected by the shortage and discuss a treatment plan. For further questions or if you have any concerns regarding IVIG or SCIG access for your patients during this shortage, contact our Care Management team at 877-342-5258, select option 3.
For more information, see our medical policy 8.01.503 (Immune Globulin Therapy).