Medicinal Products

Follow-up notice on preventive recall of three batches of medicinal product Betrion mast (mupirocin)

25.08.2015

Following the increased public interest on recall of three batches of medicinal product Betrion mast (mupirocin), which HALMED reported about on 19 August 2015, we would like to inform the following:

Recall of batches No. 331104, 332104, 131084 of the medicinal product Betrion mast carried out by Pliva Croatia d.o.o., the marketing authorisation holder, has been conducted preventively to the wholesale level.

The recall was carried out due to suspicion that the active substance mupirocin, batch W656993, which was used in the production of batches listed above, might have been contaminated by penicillin during the manufacturing. However, examination of indicated batches of medicinal product did not show presence of any penicillin component. Therefore, the decision to recall the medicine to the level of wholesale has been made as a precautionary measure.

This suspected quality defect cannot cause serious health consequences for patients. Pharmacies may continue to issue the remaining supplies of these batches of medicinal product. Patients can continue to use batches listed above and there is no need for returning previously issued packagings of this medicinal product to pharmacies.

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Recall of three batches of the Betrion mast (mupirocin)

25.08.2015

Company Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o., the marketing authorisation holder of the Betrion mast (mupirocin), has notified Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED) about the recall of batches no. 331104, 332104, 131084 of this medicinal product, due to suspected quality defect.

The suspicion in quality defect is based on potential penicillin contamination of active substance batch no. W656993 which has been used in production of mentioned batches. The recall is carried out to the level of wholesales.

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CHMP News – July 2015

24.07.2015

At its July meeting, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) gave a positive scientific opinion for Mosquirix (Plasmodium falciparum and hepatitis B vaccine), the first vaccine for malaria to be assessed by a regulatory agency for use outside the European Union (EU) and therefore outside Croatia. In addition, ten new medicines have been recommended for approval, as well as four recommendations on extensions of therapeutic indication. The marketing authorisation holder for Heparesc has requested a re-examination of the CHMP’s June 2015 negative opinion and a review of Inductos has started.

Further information is accessible under the link below.

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EMA to review Inductos

24.07.2015

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of Inductos, an implant used in patients with spinal disc problems and leg fractures. This follows an inspection by Dutch and Spanish authorities which found the manufacturing site for one of the components of Inductos (the absorbable sponge) to be non-compliant with manufacturing requirements.

There is at present no indication of risk to patients linked to the inspection findings. This medicinal product is not placed on the Croatian market. EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) will now review the impact of the inspection findings on the product’s overall benefits and risks and make a recommendation as to whether any changes are needed to its marketing authorisation.

Further information is accessible under the link below.

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CMDh updated advice on use of high-dose ibuprofen

22.05.2015

The CMDh has endorsed by consensus updated advice on the use of high-dose ibuprofen. This follows a review carried out by EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which confirmed a small increased risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking high doses of ibuprofen (at or above 2,400 mg per day). The review clarifies that the risk with high-dose ibuprofen is similar to the risk seen with some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors and diclofenac.

Further information is accessible under the link below.

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PRAC recommends updating advice on use of high-dose ibuprofen

13.04.2015

European Medicines Agency’s (EMA's) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has completed a review confirming a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking high doses of ibuprofen (at or above 2,400 mg per day). The review clarifies that the risk with high-dose ibuprofen is similar to the risk seen with some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors and diclofenac.

No increase in cardiovascular risk is seen with ibuprofen at doses up to 1,200 mg per day, which is the highest dose generally used for over-the-counter (OTC) preparations taken by mouth in the European Union (EU).

The PRAC concluded that the benefits of ibuprofen outweigh the risks but recommended updating advice on the use of high-dose ibuprofen to minimise the cardiovascular risk.

Further information is accessible under the link below.

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