Latest information from the FDA says that manufacturing delays will prevent shipments of leucovorin from Teva Pharmaceuticals until next April.
Teva has leucovorin calcium lyophilized powder 100 mg and 350 mg vials on back order and the company does not anticipate release until April 2011.
Bedford Laboratories also cites manufacturing delays but is “releasing product as it becomes available.”
Fusilev® (levoleucovorin) continues to be available from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. However, special care needs to be taken with dosing. It cannot be substituted one-to-one for leucovorin. Patients need to be aware of its cost and the possibility that insurance may not cover its administration for colorectal cancer.
Update (11/9/2010): Coalition Board member Nancy Roach was quoted in an article on ReporterNews.com about this issue
Previously: More Leucovorin Woes
November 08, 2010 at 12:57 pm, Walker said:
This is a bunch of horse poo! And in my opinion it all boils down to money. They are trying to force people to use the new stuff (levoleucovorin) which is much more expensive than the old generic leucovorin.