Wockhardt, a Rs. 5,600 crore pharma entity, has to recall its 16 medicines from pharmacies, dispensing clinics and wholesalers from UK following a precautionary recall by the Medicines and Healthcare prodcut Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Earlier, MHRA has pointed out manufacturing deficiencies at company's Waluj site in India.

The medicines affected by the precautionary recall include those used for the treatment of infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, dementia in Alzheimer’s patients and thyroid conditions. The list of medicines recalled are Aciclovir, Atenolol, Clopidogrel, Donepezil Hydrochloride, Entacapone, Levetiracetam, Losartan, Metformin, Pantoprazole, Pramipexole, Propylthiouracil, Risperidone, Ropinirole, Sertraline and Ursodeoxycholic Acid.

However, MHRA said that patients should not return their medicines as there is no evidence that the medicines affected by the precautionary recall in the UK are defective. Therefore, it’s important that people continue to take their medicines as prescribed.

This is not a patient level recall because although the medicines that are affected have not been manufactured to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, there is no evidence of a patient safety risk from medicines that have been sold in the UK. However, the MHRA has to act in the interests of public health as poor manufacturing standards cannot be allowed to continue.

The deficiencies identified by the MHRA during a routine inspection in March included a low risk of cross-contamination because of poor cleaning practices and defects in building fabric and the ventilation systems at the site. There was also evidence of forged documents relating to staff training records that had been rewritten. The MHRA is working with Wockhardt and other international regulators to resolve these issues.

Gerald Heddell, the MHRA’s Director of Inspection, Enforcement and Standards, said, “This is a precautionary recall. People can be reassured that there is no evidence that medicines made by Wockhardt are defective so it’s important people continue to take their medicines as prescribed.”  

“All batches of medicines manufactured outside the European Union are tested on importation to the UK before they reach patients. However, we have taken this precautionary action because the medicines have not been manufactured to the right regulatory standards.

“We are working with the Department of Health to ensure that people have access to the medicines they need. Anyone who has questions should speak to their pharmacist or GP.”

The medicines that are involved in the recall are available for patients from alternative manufacturers in most cases, either in equivalent strengths or varying strengths. Where there are no alternative manufacturers of the same medicines, substitutes are available and these should be selected by a healthcare professional.

The Department of Health is working closely with the companies concerned to help ensure that patients are able to get their medicines when they need them.