PARENTS of bayside babies allergic to milk are being forced to make urgent trips to far away chemists in search of last supplies of Novalac allergy formula.
The Redland City Bulletin understands one bayside family drove to Gympie on Saturday to pick up two cans of the formula before recruiting interstate relatives to look for the infant drink.
The formula is made by German multi-national pharmaceutical group Bayer for babies up to 12-months-old who are allergic to proteins in cow's milk.
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Last month, Bayer advised chemists who stocked the brand that supplies were running low due due to ongoing stock shortages.
Bayer had promised to replenish supplies earlier this month but pharmacies have already begun to run out, with no advice on when or if a next shipment would arrive.
It is understood that shortages of premium rice protein have been blamed for the product's lack of availability.
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia chief executive Maria Said said she was frustrated by the ongoing shortages.
The supply issues had caused distress to parents and babies since the product's launch in 2017, she said.
"A pharmaceutical company has launched a product, gained health professional and consumer trust, only (for consumers) to be told it is regularly in short supply," she said.
"Babies with cow's milk protein allergies are often distressed babies and when parents finally find a formula that they can take without distress, it if life changing for both the baby and indeed the often, sleep-deprived parents."
She said the advocacy group wanted Novolac Allergy to be made a prescription-only formula to ensure stocks could be bought only for babies with diagnosed cow's milk allergies.
The product had helped fill a market gap as it was palatable for babies who did not like the taste of other formulas that were available only with a prescription.
A Bayer Australia spokesperson said the company was working with its global manufacturing partner to increase supply.
Novalac Allergy was out of stock, with continued supply issues expected throughout the coming months, the spokesperson said.
Worried parents and caregivers were urged to contact their healthcare professional for advice on what other formulas were available.
"Alternative formulas are available for babies with cow's milk protein allergy aged between 0 to 12 months," the spokesperson said.
"Information regarding alternatives can be found on the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy site and should be discussed with a healthcare professional."
About two per cent of babies born in Australia have an allergy to cow's milk protein.
The Bayer Australian spokesperson said the company had been in regular contact with healthcare practitioners, pharmacies, impacted patient groups and stakeholders about the stock's supply status.
Bayer did not respond to questions on causes of the supply shortfall or what other countries Bayer exported Novolac Allergy to.
For more information about Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, visit the group's website here.
