Actavis produces 10 million tablets for Japan in record time

Published: 2011-05-03

On 20 April 2011 in Barnstaple, UK, Actavis managed to deliver 10 million levothyroxine tablets within only 20 days. These tablets are used in the treatment of thyroid problems. The tremendous earthquake on 11 March 2011 damaged the production plant of a company called Aska in Tokyo, Japan, which is a joint venture partner of Actavis. This left Japan with a potential supply shortage of levothyroxine.

Aska requested assistance from Actavis on 14 March 2011 and it was suggested that Actavis UK may be able to help, as both levothyroxine strengths 50 mcg and 100 mcg that were needed are made on the Barnstaple site. By 16 March 2011, they had started sending documents to Japan to allow the product to get an emergency registration, with product samples and dozens more documents following over the next few days. By 18 March 2011, Aska was able to offer 10 million tablets in the form of UK packs. The Japanese government had to grant an exceptional application for a new generic product.

By 31 March 2011, the teams’ combined efforts had resulted in both the accreditation of Barnstaple and also the approval of the emergency application. The levothyroxine was dispatched and arrived in Tokyo on 4 April 2011, only 20 days after the initial request was received. Ms Sara Vincent, Actavis UK’s Managing Director, promised to ‘continue our support as required, until the Aska site is back up and running’.

Source: Actavis