A lifesaving medication has been urgently recalled and demanded to be under quarantine by the UK government due to results found during testing
A lifesaving medication has been urgently recalled and demanded to be under quarantine by the UK government due to results found during testing.
Vital medication pemetrexed, also known by the brand name Alimta, is a drug used to treat certain types of lung cancer. The medication has been recalled due to “out of specification results reported for the Particulate Matter Test (PMT) during stability testing.” PMTs check for unwanted particles or contaminants in the product.
Stability testing evaluates how well a product maintains its effectiveness and safety over time. The affected batch number was first distributed almost a year ago in May of last year.
To health professionals, the government said: “Stop supplying the above batches immediately. Quarantine all stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process.”
The government has reassured those who have recently had pemetrexed, saying: “This medicine is being recalled as a precautionary measure and should present no direct harm to patients who have already received these batches.”
It said no further action is required by patients, as the medicine is administered only by healthcare professionals. They did advise that anyone who experiences adverse reactions or has any questions about the product should seek medical attention.
Pemetrexed is an anti metabolite, meaning it stops cancer cells making and repairing DNA so they can’t grow and multiply.
Patients have the drug administered intravenously, through their chest or their arm. It is usually administered every three weeks, and each treatment takes about ten minutes.
Pemetrexed is a very effective drug, with a disease control rate of 98.6%. However, as a result of taking the medication, patients can suffer damage to their kidneys and partial hair loss.
Those given pemetrexed also have B12 injections alongside the treatment, alongside folic acid tablets and steroid tablets to reduce the risk of skin side effects.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.