Due to difficulties at the manufacturing plant, production of BCG (ImmuCyst) has been suspended by the company Sanofi Pasteur.
It has not, so far, been made clear what the production difficulties are, but the company do not think that ImmuCyst production will recommence until the end of 2013.
This clearly presents a problem for urological teams and their patients. Another type of BCG called ‘OncoTICE’ (manufactured by MSD) is an alternative choice but, currently, their supplies are very limited.
MSD is confident that some supplies of OncoTICE will be available at the end of August 2012 but not in sufficient amounts to meet the full requirements for BCG in the UK.
Ref.
The British Association of Urological Surgeons