Class 4 Caution in Use on Zopiclone 3.75mg & 7.5mg Tablets

Ratiopharm UK Limited and Generics [UK] Limited t/a Mylan have confirmed that the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) within all packs and the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Ratiopharm is missing important safety information related to potential suicide risks.

Please visit the: MHRA website for more details on this drug alert.

The affected products' details are as follows:

PIP CodeProduct DescriptionLiveryAffected Batch

1110980ZOPICLONE TAB 3.75MGRatiopharm UK Limited and Generics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

1073626ZOPICLONE TAB 3.75MGRatiopharm UK Limited and Generics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

1076074ZOPICLONE TAB 3.75MGRatiopharm UK Limited and Generics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

1073584ZOPICLONE TAB 7.5MGGenerics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

1110998ZOPICLONE TAB 7.5MGGenerics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

1073618ZOPICLONE TAB 7.5MGGenerics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

8094740ZOPICLONE TAB 3.75MGRatiopharm UK Limited and Generics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

8094757ZOPICLONE TAB 7.5MGGenerics [UK] Limited t/a MylanALL STOCK

For more information or medical information queries, please contact: Ratiopharm UK Limited Teva UK Medical Information at: medinfo@tevauk.com or Tel No: 0207 540 7117

Generics [UK] Limited t/a Mylan Medical Information Direct Line +44 (0)1707 853 000 select option 1, Customer Care direct lin+44 (0)1707 853 000 select option 2 or via Medical Information e-mail info@mylan.co.uk

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

This may have been supplied by AHDL. Unfortunately we are not providing specific batch information you will be required to follow the instructions as per the drug alert.

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns.

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team.

Class 3 Recall on Amlodipine 10mg Tablets

Accord Healthcare Limited is recalling the below batch of Amlodipine 10mg Tablets as a precautionary measure due to out of specification results for tablet description, hardness and average weight obtained during stability testing.

Class 4 FMD Recall Various products

The MHRA is currently investigating an incident where several medicines appear to have left the legal supply chain and have then been re-introduced via Kingsley Specials Ltd WDA(H) 49276, who purchased from a company that does not hold a wholesale dealers authorisation and then sold it on to a number of other wholesalers.

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Company contacts for further information Smartway Pharmaceuticals Limited • Email: regulatory@smartwaypharma.co.uk • Telephone: 020 8545 7743 Drugsrus Limited • Email: recall@drugsrus.co.uk • Telephone: 020 3397 2347 Optimal Pharma Limited • Email: info@optimalpharma.co.uk • Telephone: 020 3884 0032

Class 2 Recall on Oxylan 40mg prolonged-release tablets

GL Pharma is recalling the above batch of Oxylan 40mg prolonged-release tablets due to out of specification results for dissolution obtained during routine stability testing.

Alliance Healthcare ‘Returns’ to become Mandatory on the Portal

Alliance Healthcare continues to help our customers self-serve by driving forward adoption of our digital processes via the myahportal (Alliance Healthcare Portal)  and phasing out the paper return notes process entirely.  From Monday 14 September customers should only be processing returns claims through ‘Returns' via the myahportal.

The portal provides customers with a simplified approach to access multiple Alliance Healthcare systems and order products online, including surgical orders from NWOS and other functionalities.   

As part of our digital evolution of using ‘Returns' online, customers will see the following benefits:

- Saves time – automatically completes sections of the returns note for you e.g. name and address details, along with product searches

- Visibility of returns claims online – for ease of reference

- Efficient process - No need to call Customer Service, authorisation to return specialist handling products* can be completed on line. (*a few exceptions apply)

- One claim for all - no need to separate out product types when submitting claims

- Guidance on specific product returns  -  clearly explains what to do if you have faulty items, quality issues and recalls

- Removes confusion – clear information on our terms & conditions for returning products

- Access from anywhere – you just need to be online
 

Over 13,000 customers have now registered with myahportal. Marta from Ashtons Hospital Pharmacy, Brighton said: "It is very easy to fill all the necessary fields and the reference return number given at the end keeps my files in order. I am very pleased that Alliance Healthcare keeps trying to improve their ways of working and that they are listening to their Customer's feedback."

The portal is accessible at www.myahportal.co.uk and customers can self-register in just a few minutes.

To support customers during the registration and in using the portal, a ChatBot system has been enabled that offers instant question and answer support for the user. Online support is also available via email at: customerportal@alliance-healthcare.co.uk, and a helpline on 0330 100 0448 - option 8, for any technical support and assistance.

The old paper ‘Returns' system will close from 13 September.

Class 2 Recall on Fasturtec® 7.5 mg. 1.5 mg/ml

Sanofi has informed us of an Out Of Specification (OOS) result which was detected for Rasburicase enzyme activity according to a specific method and specifications for US market, at 12 months stability time point. Sanofi is recalling Fasturtec® 7.5 mg (Rasburicase) Solution for IV infusion - 7.5 mg/5 ml (Injectable powder in vial packaged with 5 ml solvent in ampoule), batch number A9306 as a precautionary measure.

Class 4 Caution in Use on SmofKabiven extra Nitrogen Electrolyte Free

Fresenius Kabi Ltd & Calea UK Ltd has informed us of an error on the bag labels for SmofKabiven extra nitrogen electrolyte free, emulsion for infusion PL 08828/0269. A sentence has been inadvertently included stating "with electrolytes" on an electrolyte free product. The outer cartons and leaflets have been checked and these are all in compliance. The bag label should state "1. Amino acid solution.

Class 2 Recall on Phosphates Solution For Infusion 500ml

Huddersfield Pharmacy Specials (HPS) is recalling the above batches of phosphates solution for infusion due to observation of precipitation in batch 500609X. The decision to recall all other batches has been made as a precautionary measure.

Julian Mount, Managing Director takes part in Covid-19 roundtable discussion with Pharmacy Business

Julian Mount, Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare in the UK, Sutton contractor Reena Barai, and chief executive of PCT Healthcare Peter Cattee took in the second Pharmacy Business virtual roundtable.

The coronavirus pandemic will lead community pharmacy into becoming the healthcare hub of the future, a leading pharmaceutical professional has said.

Managing Director of Alliance Healthcare UK Julian Mount believes in a post-Covid world more remote interactions from doctors and hospitals will be the order of the day, making community pharmacy the first in line for face-to-face healthcare advice.

Julian Mount shares his view on the challenges community pharmacy has faced during the Covid-19 pandemic

"If there is a positive experience with Covid-19, it's the positivity there is now around having that healthcare hub within the community," he said at Pharmacy Business' second virtual roundtable entitled ‘Reimagining community pharmacy in a post-Covid world'.

The roundtable delved into the future of pharmacy from the perspectives of a pharmacy wholesaler, an independent contractor and an owner of a chain of community pharmacies. It explored how a hugely positive public perception, renewed national recognition and changed attitude from the powers that be could reinvigorate community pharmacy as well as how the sector needed to adapt in the rapidly changing world of technology.

The three-member panel, which also included chief executive of PCT Healthcare Peter Cattee and Sutton contractor Reena Barai, felt that community pharmacy should build on the positivity it now has but the onus of continuing that momentum would be on the national pharmacy bodies.

WATCH THE VIDEO or READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Class 2 Recall on Clexane 4,000 Iu (40mg) /0.4ml Syringes

Pharmaram Ltd has informed us that the below batch of Clexane 4,000IU (40mg)/0.4ml syringes has an error on the labelling affixed to the plastic blister packaging encasing the syringe. The label incorrectly states "Clexane 6,000IU (60mg)/0.6ml Syringes", when it should have stated "Clexane 4,000IU (40mg)/0.4ml Syringes". The outer carton states the correct strength; the batch number and expiry dates are also correct and match the details on the labelling.