Bristol-Myers Squibb divested the Questran range to Cheplapharm at the end of July 2019. Questran is out of stock with no further supplies expected before 2021. Limited supplies of Questran Light from Cheplapharm (until at least February 2020) are currently available through Alliance Healthcare (stock allocated to branches every fortnight). Mylan have also recently launched a generic colestyramine light 4g sachet but that is out of stock until mid-December 2019.

The supply situation for the alternative bile acid sequestrants is outlined below:

• Cholestagel (colesevelam) 625mg tablets (Sanofi) – currently in stock.
• Colestid (colestipol) plain (Pfizer) – UK licensed product currently in stock.
• Colestid (colestipol) Orange (Pfizer) – out of stock until mid-December 2019.

This memo advises on management options until the shortage resolves.