How to check if your medication is in shortage, what the official database actually covers, and what to do next. Information only, not medical advice.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) publishes every reported medicine shortage in one searchable national database. Search by active ingredient (e.g. atorvastatin) or brand (e.g. Ventolin) to see the current status, expected end date, and any approved alternatives.
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It covers: shortages of reportable medicines, which include all prescription medicines and some non-prescription medicines the Minister has identified as critical to public health — for example, Ventolin (salbutamol) inhalers and adrenaline (EpiPen) auto-injectors.
It does not cover: most over-the-counter medicines (paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold and flu products), supplements and vitamins, or local supply disruptions — when one pharmacy or one area is temporarily out of stock but the medicine is still in normal supply nationally.
This is an important distinction. If your pharmacy says "we're out of your medicine," the database may show no shortage — because there isn't one at a national level. Your pharmacist can usually order stock from a different wholesaler within a day or two. Ask before assuming the worst.
1. Talk to your pharmacist first. Pharmacists deal with shortages every day. They often know about alternative brands of the same medicine (same active ingredient, different label), can sometimes order stock from another wholesaler, and can advise whether an alternative dose form or strength would work. For many shortages, an alternative brand is available immediately without a new prescription.
2. If no alternative is available, see your GP. Your GP can prescribe a different medicine in the same class, or — when the TGA has approved an overseas alternative under Section 19A — write your usual script so the pharmacist can dispense the approved overseas product.
3. Don't stop or skip doses without advice. Stopping some medicines suddenly (for example, blood pressure tablets, antidepressants, or steroids) can be harmful. If you're running out and can't get more, contact your GP or pharmacist — they will help you bridge the gap safely.
4. Don't stockpile. Buying more than you need in response to news of a shortage makes the situation worse for everyone. Order normally; your pharmacist will tell you if you need to plan further ahead.
When a medicine is in shortage and no Australian-registered alternative is available, the TGA can approve a similar overseas-registered product for temporary import and supply. This is called a Section 19A approval (after the section of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 that allows it).
These overseas products have been approved by a comparable overseas regulator and are considered safe — they're just not normally registered for sale in Australia. The packaging and labelling may look different (sometimes in another language), but the medicine inside is the equivalent. Your pharmacist can dispense it against your normal Australian prescription.