Swisstransplant thanks you for your great commitment. Dr. med. Franz Immer is available at any time to answer your questions: franz.immer@swisstransplant.org

Information on coronavirus in German
Information on coronavirus in French

Astellas Switzerland has informed Swisstransplant that there is sufficient stock of Prograf, Advagraf and Modigraf. The active ingredient tacrolimus is produced in Japan. Packs of Prograf, Advagraf and Modigraf for Switzerland are produced in Ireland. It is mainly generic drugs such as antibiotics that are produced in Asia.
Swisstransplant ist currently observing a certain level of stockpiling. Panic buying or stocking up could lead to problems due to the fact that we plan purchases on a rolling basis – this means that we increase the amount we order in reaction to an increase in demand. The manufacturers in Ireland produce the stock for Switzerland at fixed times, and adjust their production level accordingly.
We are currently closely monitoring the purchasing behaviour of wholesalers, pharmacies, dispensing practices and hospitals so that we can react immediately to any changes. It would be helpful if you could inform your patients that there is enough Prograf, Advagraf and Modigraf in stock in Switzerland, and ask them not to bulk purchase supplies for the coming months/years – if every patient in Switzerland decides to do this at the same time, it could create a difficult situation for everyone.

Contrary to what has been reported by certain regional news organizations, we would like to clarify that organ donation is not being halted completely. Transplantations of vital organs (heart, lungs and liver) continue to be carried out at the centres in Bern, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich, taking account of the current pandemic situation.

At the same time, we would like to inform the public that due to the current coronavirus pandemic, kidney transplantations from deceased donors are no longer being performed throughout Switzerland with immediate effect and until further notice.

Swisstransplant announces that due to the current coronavirus pandemic, organs from living donors are no longer accepted throughout Switzerland until further notice. The decision was reached based on the fact that such operations are planned interventions and that the central hospitals that perform such operations are actively involved in the current situation in terms of their resources. This measure also has the objective of minimizing the potential risk for both donors and recipients.

People who have received transplantations or are taking immunosuppressants are advised to take into account the recommendations of the Société Francophone de Transplantation (transplantation association for the French-speaking world). The Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) has published a flyer summarizing these recommendations.

Swisstransplant, in consultation with the President of the Swisstransplant Infectiology Working Group, Dr. med. Cédric Hirzel, has drawn up various guidelines for prevention regarding Covid-19.