The authorities therefore appeal to all those affected not to change their previous therapy on their own. Patients should follow the instructions of their treating physician. If a replacement of the medication is necessary, this should only be done after appropriate medical consultation.

According to the Medicines Agency, either drugs with the same active ingredient or suitable therapeutic alternatives are available for the majority of the recalled preparations. 
This is to ensure that necessary treatments can be continued without major interruptions.

No evidence of an acute risk

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At the same time, the authority clarified that the recall was not due to established toxicity or a proven immediate health hazard.

Rather, the background is deviations in certain stability parameters of the drugs concerned. Corresponding investigations had found values that were outside the prescribed specifications.

The recall is therefore to be understood as a precautionary safety measure and is taking place within the framework of the strict regulations for the manufacture, quality control and distribution of medicinal products.

Remedica initiated voluntary recall

The pharmaceutical company Remedica had voluntarily initiated the recall of certain batches after corresponding deviations had been detected during stability tests.

After the results became known, both the company and the responsible authorities immediately took the necessary steps.

Such quality deviations cannot always be detected or predicted in advance. It is therefore crucial to react quickly after a problem becomes known and to withdraw the affected batches from circulation.

Nine medicines affected

Remedica had recalled several batches of a total of nine medicines at the beginning of the week. At the same time, the company emphasized that according to the current state of knowledge, there are no concrete safety concerns for patients who have taken these drugs.

Carvidex – a prescription beta-blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure, angina pectoris and heart failure, among other things.

Clonotril – a drug used for epileptic seizures and certain anxiety and panic disorders, among other things.

The recall led to doctors having to change some of their patients' existing prescriptions or prescribe alternative medications.

For some of those affected, the situation became even more difficult because doctors and pharmacies were sometimes only accessible to a limited extent immediately before the upcoming holiday.

Important for affected patients

Anyone who uses one of the recalled drugs should not stop taking it or change the dosage on their own.

Instead, those affected should contact their attending physician or pharmacist and clarify whether their specific batch of medication is affected by the recall and whether a replacement preparation may be necessary.