Health officials in Victoria and NSW are issuing directives to limit epidural kit usage to obstetric patients only amid a worldwide shortage that has hit Australia’s hospitals.

A spokesperson for the national Therapeutic Goods Administration told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald the organisation received an international alert on July 18 about “temporary supply issues affecting particular brands of epidural kits in overseas markets”.

Epidurals may be limited for birthing mothers in the midst of a global shortage.Credit:Generic

Epidural and spinal kits are widely used to treat pain in childbirth, but also outside of obstetrics for pain relief during or after a number of surgical procedures.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists confirmed it was aware of restrictions being put in place in both Victoria and NSW.

“ANZCA has been advised of a temporary supply disruption for one brand of commonly used epidural kit and has alerted anaesthetists to the supply issues on the college website,” safety and quality committee chair Associate Professor Joanna Sutherland said.

“ANZCA has now been made aware of advice from Victorian and NSW health departments recommending temporary conservation of epidural kits for obstetric epidural use only.”

The college would “continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety and quality of anaesthesia is maintained,” she said.

Information provided by the state government confirmed that Victoria has established a clinical advisory group to consider the circumstances in which epidural kits should be used as authorities try to preserve stock. HealthShare Victoria, which manages supply chains for public health services, is also working with the supplier to assess the current situation and status of future deliveries into Victoria.

“We’re aware of a global impact to stock of spinal and epidural kits globally due to constraints with a key supplier,” a spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Health said.

“The department, HealthShare Victoria, health services, clinical advisors and suppliers are working together to ensure sufficient supplies are distributed across the state while future stock is being secured.

“We are proactively working with the health sector to plan and address any future impacts to the system should this shortage continue, this includes using alternatives for non-obstetric patients where clinically safe.”

The Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said supply must be assured.

“Epidurals are an effective way of making childbirth more comfortable; it is critical governments ensure there are adequate, ongoing supplies of epidural kits across all jurisdictions,” said college president Dr Benjamin Bopp.

A spokesman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it had received advice that supply issues were expected to be resolved by the end of July. International producers of the kits had previously predicted the issue would be resolved in June.

“Australian suppliers of these kinds of products have not advised the TGA of anticipated impacts on domestic availability,” a spokesman for the TGA said.

“The TGA works closely with the state and territory health departments to exchange information about emerging issues and risks to supply. There will be ongoing liaison with all states and territories to monitor any concerns with supply over the coming weeks.”

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