A family’s message to transplant patients about switching to generic medications

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Hannah Goetz had a double lung transplant at 17 and took tacrolimus to help prevent rejection. After her death at 21, her mother has focused on raising awareness about switching to a generic version of tacrolimus and how changes in manufacturer or formulation can matter for some transplant patients. Her message to patients is to know whether you’re receiving brand vs generic (and which generic), tell your transplant team before or immediately after any switch, and make sure drug levels are checked and adjusted as needed.

Source

FDA changes therapeutic equivalence rating for Accord Healthcare's tacrolimus. Reactions Weekly 1975, 5 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40278-023-46360-5

Additional Reading

https://www.propublica.org/article/tacrolimus-fda-death-mothers-story

https://medshadow.org/investigating-generics/investigating-generics-americas-overlooked-drug-crisis/

https://www.propublica.org/article/fda-generic-drug-equivalents-tacrolimus