Important Update Regarding Supply of Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection)
August 23, 2010
Dear Gaucher Community,
We are writing to provide you with an update regarding the supply of Cerezyme in the month of
September, 2010.
In recent communications we indicated that the Allston plant has resumed normal operations and
Cerezyme production is proceeding successfully. We now have sufficient supply to provide patients in the U.S., who are currently receiving Cerezyme on a biweekly basis, with two full doses of Cerezyme in
the month of September, 2010. Patients on an alternative infusion schedule (other than biweekly),
should consult with their Genzyme Case Manager as their dosing and shipping schedule will differ from
the schedule provided in this letter.
The Cerezyme supply management plan in the U.S. for the period of September 1-30, 2010 will be as
follows:
- Patients who are currently receiving Cerezyme on a biweekly basis will receive two full doses
of Cerezyme in the month of September, 2010.
- Cerezyme orders for the September infusions can be placed at any time, but will require
scheduled infusion dates.
- Orders will be shipped one infusion at a time, starting September 1, 2010.
- Please schedule your first infusion no earlier than September 7th to account for shipping time.
- Infusions allocated for September may not be carried over to future months.
- We are not able to accommodate dose increases for any patients at this time.
- We will announce an updated supply management plan for the period beyond September, no
later than September 27, 2010.
This information gives our best estimate of Cerezyme supply at the present time. Importantly, since we
continue to work with limited inventory, even minor changes to our current manufacturing plan can
impact availability of Cerezyme. We continue to work hard to strengthen our manufacturing operations
so we can once again deliver a reliable supply of Cerezyme to patients.
As the supply of Cerezyme increases over the coming months, we believe there should be enough to
accommodate some new patients and patients who wish to resume treatment with Cerezyme.
- Doctors are now able to submit requests to Genzyme for patients who wish to start receiving
treatment with Cerezyme.
- If you would like to begin treatment with Cerezyme, please speak with your physician to discuss your options.
- Please note that patients who want to start treatment with Cerezyme will receive product based on the supply allocation in place for the Gaucher community, at the time they start their infusion.
- If we cannot accommodate a request for Cerezyme for a new or restart patient under the supply
allocation plan in place at that time, we will accommodate that patient on a first-come, first-
served basis as soon as we have enough supply to meet the request.
For support regarding Cerezyme orders, insurance and billing issues, infusion agency questions, or
additional information about the supply of Cerezyme, please contact your Genzyme Case Manager at
1-
800-745-4447, Option 3, or Genzyme Medical Information at 1-800-745-4447, Option 2.
We thank you again for your understanding as we continue our efforts to stabilize the supply of Cerezyme.
Sincerely,
Pamela di Cenzo, Vice President
Patient & Product Services, PGH
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