Key Summary
- A batch of sertraline was recalled after citalopram was found in the sealed carton.
- No harms reported by the patients yet.
- The recall was precautionary.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced that Amarox Limited has recalled a batch of Sertraline 100mg film-coated pills, under the Class 2 recall, due to an error during the secondary packaging.
Two antidepressant drugs are incorrectly packaged, where a pack of Sertraline 100mg film-coated tablets contained a blister strip of Citalopram 40mg film-coated tablets within the sealed carton.
The error took place as both the drugs are manufactured by the same company at the same site.
It came to light after a complaint was filed by a patient.
Although there have no reports of adverse effects, the batch of medicines are recalled as a precautionary measure.
“If you have been prescribed Sertraline 100mg tablets and have received batch number V2500425, please check the carton contains the right medication. You can find the batch number and expiry date printed on the side of the outer packaging,” informed Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer.
Both the drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and used to treat depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions by boosting brain serotonin.
Dr Cave added, “Patients who have accidentally taken citalopram instead of - or as well as - sertraline, may experience some heightened serotonergic side effects. These can include nausea, headache, sleep changes, and mild anxiety.”
Patients who experience any of the side effects must seek immediate medical help.
In such cases, patients above 65 or below 18 years with serious health conditions like cardiac or liver issues will be thoroughly monitored by the health professionals to ensure their safety.
Similary, pharmacists or any health professionals who dispense should identify and reach out to the patients and advise them to return the wrong medication.
NPA flays drug mix-up
However, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chief secretary, Henry Gregg, expressed his concern over such errors and how it could impact pharmacies.
Gregg said, "Hard pressed pharmacy teams spend hours of their time contacting patients who have received these prescriptions as well as quarantining stock, time they could be spending delivering patient care instead.”
"Pharmacies, who bear the brunt of any recall, should be reimbursed for the cost of these mistakes by the manufacturers who make them,” he added. NPA represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies across the UK.
