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The manufacturers of PAH treatment Flolan have confirmed it will be discontinued in the UK from 2028, and plans are being put in place to move patients to alternative medications over the next two years.

There are 150 patients, including children, currently prescribed Flolan (epoprostenol) in the UK. Known as a ‘vasodilator’ the drug is administered intravenously and has been on the market for 29 years.  

Flolan is made by the global pharmaceutical manufacturer GSK, who have already discontinued it in the USA and some other countries. They have confirmed the last production will be in April 2028, and as the UK carries around four months of stock at a time, based on current usage, it can be prescribed here until the summer of 2028.

Epoprostenol is also available as the brand name Veletri - manufactured by Janssen-Cilag - and transitioning patients onto alternative treatments is currently being explored. All epoprostenol formulations are compatible with each other.

Both the PHA UK and the UK’s network of specialist centre teams made formal representations to GSK to urge them to reconsider the discontinuation.

Dr Iain Armstrong, PHA UK Chair, said: “I’d like to reassure the PH community that despite this being very disappointing news, patients are not at risk as there is stock available for the next two years - and plans are already being put into place to provide alternative treatments for those affected. I would urge those currently taking Flolan not to panic, and not to overwhelm specialist centres with concerns as they are working hard to ensure solutions are found. Patients affected by this issue will be contacted individually by their teams in due course.”