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HIV/AIDS News

Dear Health Care Provider Letter Regarding the Discontinuation of Fortovase

Date: May 26, 2005
Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
URL: http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/other/FDA5.31.05.pdf

Fortovase distribution to be discontinued
Roche Pharmaceuticals, of Nutley, New Jersey, has issued a Dear Health Care Provider letter to inform the clinical community that commercial distribution of Fortovase, the 200-mg soft-gel formulation of saquinavir, will be discontinued by February 15, 2006.
The letter cites decreased demand for Fortovase as the reason for the product's discontinuation.
Invirase, another formulation of saquinavir manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals, will continue to be available in 200-mg and 500-mg formulations.
Roche suggests that physicians refrain from starting Fortovase treatment in their HIV-positive Patients at this time, and encourages prescribing health care providers to discuss appropriate alternative treatment regimens with patients currently receiving Fortovase.
The complete Dear Health Care Provider letter is available at http://www.invirase.com/pdf/FTVDearDoctorFINAL.pdf
Richard Klein Office of Special Health Issues Food and Drug Administration
Kimberly Struble Division of Antiviral Drug Products Food and Drug Administration
An archive of past list serve announcements is available on the FDA web site at http://www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/listserve/archive.html