Janssen is recommending physicians withhold prescribing its pulmonary arterial hypertension drug because Philips Respironics is discontinuing the only approved delivery system for the drug.
Philips Respironics' now-discontinued I-neb AAD System, an inhalation drug delivery device, was the only FDA-approved product for Janssen's brand-name drug Ventavis (iloprost inhalation ampules).
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reported the issue Nov. 28, which comes with implications for patient care.
"Providers will need to work to switch patients to an alternative pulmonary hypertension treatment," the ASHP said. "New prior authorizations for alternative treatments will likely be required. Ensure a plan is in place to prevent patients from running out of iloprost inhalation solution without another option."
A Janssen spokesperson told Becker's solutions of Ventavis are available, but without an approved drug delivery method, healthcare providers are encouraged to "explore alternative treatment options for patients utilizing Ventavis and to refrain from initiating new patients on this medication."