In a move sure to create consternation for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians practicing in hospitals and long-term care facilities, the parent company of Genzyme has announced a plan to stop selling a leukemia drug under the brand name Campath (alemtuzumab).

Reuters reported that Sanofi-Aventis intends to rename and reintroduce the biotech drug as Lemtrada once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency approve  a new indication for reducing relapses of multiple sclerosis. No deadlines have been set for final decisions on the drugmaker's licensing applications, but Reuter notes that Sanofi expects to begin selling Lemtrada (née Campath) some time during 2013.

Doctors often prescribe Campath injections for MS patients, and Sanofi wants to formalize that practice. The product will remain available under its original brand name in the United States until Sept. 4, 2012.

Changing a widely accepted off-label prescribing and dispensing practice to an on-label one has the potential to clarify treatment protocols and streamline coverage determinations by insurers and government health care programs. Taking a medication off the market and changing its brand name as part of that process, though, strikes me as a terrible way to go about achieving any benefits.

Existing stocks of Campath may prove inadequate to meet the needs of patients with leukenia. Relauching the drug with the name Lemtrada could make prescribers, pharmacy practitioners and patients think the active pharmaceutical ingredient is something other than alemtuzumab.

After first posting this news, I received the following note from a Genzyme representative:

[We are] committed to ensuring that patients who need Campath will receive it, free of charge wherever permitted. There were extensive discussions and planning efforts for the change in distribution of Campath, and the company has put in place a comprehensive program to facilitate this transition.

Any health care provider or patient with questions about Campath availability during the months before the launch of Lemtrada should contact Genzyme.

Shortages can also be reported to the FDA.

http://pharmacy.about.com/b/2012/08/24/leukemia-drug-being-pulled-from-market-for-rebranding-a-ms-treatment.htm