Everything Changes - The Guide to Young Adult Cancer

I wanted to share a success story from a commenter on my blog.  Bonnie has posted a lot throughout the Pfizer levoxyl shortage.  I am happy for her that she was able to obtain her levoxyl thyroid medication and wanted to share the comment she left in case it can be of help to you too:

“I was able to get my Levoxyl about a week ago.  I called the customer service number at Levoxyl.com after seeing that all strengths were available on the FDA drug shortage website.  I wanted to verify the March 3rd date and I was told Levoxyl was finished being produced and was shipped out to the wholesalers.  Your pharmacy needs to call their wholesaler to order your Levoxyl.  Last Monday my pharmacy couldn’t order it at first because their wholesaler didn’t have it, then on Wed. of last week I checked with my pharmacy and they could order it and I had it the next day.”

Navigating the red tape of pharma, hospitals, and insurance companies is a big part of being a pro-active patient. For more pro-active patient success stories, please click here to check out the print or electronic version of my book Everything Changes.

UPDATE: As of 2/7/2014, a commenter on my blog states they were able to obtain 100 mcg pills of levoxyl at their Rite Aid pharmacy in Pittsburgh.  They placed the order in the morning and pharmacist had them ready at the end of the day.  Great news.  Scroll down to see the full comment and please leave your comments below once you have obtained levoxyl  in your area too.

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Rumors are flying that levoxyl is now back on the shelves and available for patient purchase.  I want to clarify this speculation and provide the most accurate and up to date information that I am able to find.  Here is the information I was able to gather in conversation with a Pfizer representative on January 31, 2014:

* Pfizer states that levoxyl will resume manufacturing during the first quarter of 2014, meaning January, February, or March of 2014.

* Pfizer has not yet resumed production of levoxyl.

* When Pfizer resumes production of levoxyl, there is some lag time between the production and when it becomes available in a pharmacy.  It must first go through the packaging and resale process.

* Wholesalers must stock up on the product first before shipping it to pharmacies.  Distribution is the role of the wholesalers and not of Pfizer, who is the manufacturer.  Therefore, for example, Pfizer does not know whether CVS vs Walgreens will have the product first.  However, the representative I spoke with said, “There should be no shortage issues once it is readily available.”

* Action Item: Follow this link to the levoxyl website.  You can enter your name and email address where it says: “If you would like us to notify you once we resolve this supply issue, please enter your contact information below.”

I know this shortage has impacted thyroid cancer patients, as well as others with Graves’ disease, Hasimoto’s disease, and other hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions.  Hang tight and I will continue to update you on any information I can find.  Also, please leave comments below if you have any additional information pertaining to the manufacturing of levoxyl.

Navigating the red tape of pharma, hospitals, and insurance companies is a big part of being a pro-active patient. To learn tips on how to become a pro-active patient, please click here to check out the print or electronic version of my book Everything Changes.