I’Josacine antibiotic will gradually disappear from the shelves of pharmacies. AT based on the josamycin molecule, the drug is indicated for the treatment of several infectious diseases affecting the throat, lungs or sinusesin particular type A streptococcal angina, acute sinusitis or even certain pneumopathies.
But why does he disappear? Its only manufacturer, the Astellas Pharma laboratory, “has decided to stop the marketing of all presentations of the specialty Josacine (tablets and oral suspension, editor’s note), “said the ANSM in a communicated published on February 27. According to the health agency, this stoppage is not linked to a problem of quality or safety of the drug, but to a “industrial decision“.
Discontinuation of the marketing of#antibiotic Josacine (josamycin) by laboratory decision
⚕️ Other macrolides can be used as an alternative see the recommendations of the @SPILF_ and the GPIP of the @sf_pediatrics
➕ info: https://t.co/TClpuFG7Vvpic.twitter.com/sKXDHttAYQ
—ANSM (@ansm) February 27, 2023
If the laboratory had planned stocks of Josacine for a gradual cessation of availability, the current context of shortage of antibiotics decided otherwise: consumption was higher than expected and depletion faster than expected. “No other josacymine-based specialty is available in France” and the last stocks should be sold out in March 2023nevertheless warns the ANSM.
Solutions to replace Josacine?
To date, some forms of Josacine are no longer available:
- Josacine 500mg, film-coated tablets (withdrawn from the market since April 25, 2022);
- Josacine 125mg/5ml, granules for oral suspension (withdrawn from the market since December 14, 2022).
Other presentations are currently being distributed on a split basis including Josacine 1000mg dispersible tablet, 250mg/5ml and 500mg/5ml granules for oral suspension while supplies last.
What to take instead of Josacine? As a replacement, the ANSM advises doctors to turn to the recent recommendations of the main infectiology societies, which have assessed how to replace the molecule with equivalent treatments.
Source :
- Discontinuation of the marketing of the drug Josacine (josamycin), ANSM, February 27, 2023
