Seven of the medicines caught in Remedica’s recall have no alternative available on the market, the Health Insurance Organisation has told doctors and pharmacists, as patients struggle to reach either during the August holidays.
Most doctors are away and more than half of pharmacies have closed for the holidays, leaving patients trying to track down their doctor or pharmacist for answers. The HIO informed GHS providers on Wednesday of the steps they should take to serve patients, flagging in the same announcement that no substitute currently exists for seven of the recalled preparations.
Pharmaceutical Services director Elena Panagiotopoulou urged patients not to interrupt their treatment before speaking to their doctor. She told Phileleftheros that the reason for the recall does not warrant stopping treatment without a doctor’s advice and without the doctor replacing the medication. With many doctors on leave and struggling to serve their own patients, she said, panic should be avoided.
“No patient can be left without their treatment,” she stressed.
Patients’ federation questions the timing
Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations president Miltos Miltiadous made the same appeal, but said the recall landed at a point when patients are effectively exposed, with no easy access to a doctor or pharmacist.
The announcements have unsettled patients, he said, and the federation’s main worry is that some will stop treatment altogether at a time when reaching a doctor is difficult. Nobody should be left without their medicines, he said, and any change must follow a doctor’s decision on what is right for the patient. Patients who learn their medicine has been recalled and cannot find their doctor may decide to stop on their own, he said, and a course of treatment taken repeatedly cannot be broken off without consequences for their health.
While unforeseen events like this cannot always be avoided, Miltiadous said, “we expect these matters to be handled with foresight and planning”.
Where no substitute exists
The recall covers Carvidex 25 mg, Clonotril 0.5 mg and 2 mg, Cloxacillin 250 mg and 500 mg, Hydralazine 25 mg, Methyldopa 250 mg, Remycin 100 mg tablets, Lorivan 1 mg, Epsitron 25 mg, Carbimazole 5 mg and Bralix 5 mg/2.5 mg.
Nothing containing the same active substance is available for Clonotril 0.5 mg and 2 mg, Cloxacillin 250 mg and 500 mg, Hydralazine 25 mg, Methyldopa 250 mg and Epsitron 25 mg.
For Clonotril, Cloxacillin and Epsitron, products exist in the same pharmacological category with a different active substance, though not every patient can make that switch. For Hydralazine 25 mg and Methyldopa 250 mg, there is no option even within the same category. Changing active substance requires medical assessment and a fresh prescription, and cannot be handled as a straight swap at the pharmacy counter. The HIO said it will work through the Health Ministry’s Purchasing and Supplies Directorate to secure alternatives.
Where replacements are available
Five recalled preparations have a match with the same active substance. Bicol 25 mg replaces Carvidex 25 mg. Remycin 100 mg tablets can be replaced by Doxat 100 mg tablets, Medomycin 100 mg capsules or Remycin 100 mg capsules. Lorans 1 mg replaces Lorivan 1 mg, and Librax 5 mg/2.5 mg replaces Bralix 5 mg/2.5 mg. For Carbimazole 5 mg, an alternative product has been secured and is available from August 13 through Marathon Distributors.
What patients should do
Patients should not pick a substitute themselves. Any replacement goes through a doctor or pharmacist and follows GHS procedures.
Anyone holding a product from an affected batch should contact their treating doctor or pharmacist to keep their treatment running safely, and Remedica has said the affected product should be returned to the pharmacy.
Remedica voluntarily recalled 137 batches of 12 different medicines as a precaution after stability studies on the products returned some results outside set limits. The company has said there is no cause for concern at this stage.
