Alert By Medicines Regulator About Cancer Capsules Recall

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 07 Jul 2010 - 4:00 PDT

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The MHRA has issued a Drug Alert to healthcare professionals informing them of a patient level recall of Temozolomide Hospira Capsules. Temozolomide is an anti-cancer medicine used in combination with radiotherapy or on its own. Temozolomide Hospira Capsules are taken to treat brain tumours.

The licence holder, Hospira UK Ltd, is recalling certain batches of the medicine due to reports of the capsules splitting and leaking its powder. Pharmacists and clinics are asked to contact their patients taking this medication to provide advice on returning the affected medicine. Pharmacists should quarantine any remaining stock from the affected batches, package it thoroughly and return to Hospira for credit.

If people have this medicine at home, they shouldn't open the pack. If a capsule is damaged, they should avoid contact of the powder with their skin, eyes and nose and avoid inhaling the powder. If they accidentally get some on their skin, wash with soap and water or in the case of contact with the eyes or nose, wash with water only. If irritation persists they should seek medical advice. People should be able to obtain an alternative prescription and get their medicine replaced.

The MHRA understands that this medicine is normally supplied via hospitals and not from GPs or community pharmacists.

The affected batch numbers are:

L00828 5 mg
L00829 20 mg
L00831 100 mg
L01031 250 mg

Notes

1. Temozolomide Hospira Capsules are taken to treat:
- newly diagnosed specific form of brain tumour (glioblastoma multiforme)
- specific forms of brain tumour (eg glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma) that has returned or where the cancer has spread after standard therapy.

Source:
MHRA

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