NATION : Officials Confirm Epileptic Drug Is in Short Supply in 4 States
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DALLAS — A prescription drug taken by thousands of Americans to control epileptic seizures is in short supply in at least four states, including California, company officials confirmed today.
Officials for Ciba-Geigy, the Swiss drug manufacturer, said higher-than-expected demand and manufacturing problems have created spot shortages of carbamazepine, which is sold under the brand name Tegretol.
“We do have a shortage,” said Cathy Kernen, a spokeswoman at the company’s offices in Summit, N.J. “We hope not for long, but we’re afraid to say at this point how long. It might be a couple of months.”
Shortages of the drug have occurred most frequently in the last two months in Texas, Ohio, Indiana and parts of California, Kernen said.
She said Ciba-Geigy’s current shortage is due to equipment problems at a Swiss plant where the active ingredient for Tegretol is made.
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