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Fake cancer drugs probe launched | Fake cancer drugs probe launched |
(10 minutes later) | |
A criminal investigation has been launched after a counterfeit batch of drugs used in the treatment of prostate cancer was discovered. | A criminal investigation has been launched after a counterfeit batch of drugs used in the treatment of prostate cancer was discovered. |
The batch claiming to be of the hormone treatment Casodex has been recalled. | The batch claiming to be of the hormone treatment Casodex has been recalled. |
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: "We take this very seriously and a criminal investigation is being carried out." | The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: "We take this very seriously and a criminal investigation is being carried out." |
Patients whose medicine carries the batch number 65520 have been urged to contact their pharmacist. | Patients whose medicine carries the batch number 65520 have been urged to contact their pharmacist. |
'Great concern' | |
The MHRA, which oversees the regulation of medicines, said it had been contacted by a wholesaler who had been offered a suspicious batch of the medicine. | The MHRA, which oversees the regulation of medicines, said it had been contacted by a wholesaler who had been offered a suspicious batch of the medicine. |
Tests showed the batch medicine contained only 75% of the amount of the active ingredient bicalutamide shown on the label. | Tests showed the batch medicine contained only 75% of the amount of the active ingredient bicalutamide shown on the label. |
"At present there is no evidence of patients having any adverse reactions specifically related to the counterfeits," the MHRA said in a statement. | "At present there is no evidence of patients having any adverse reactions specifically related to the counterfeits," the MHRA said in a statement. |
Casodex is produced by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. | Casodex is produced by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. |
Dr Chris Hiley, head of policy and research at The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is the first time we have heard of counterfeit supplies of a well known prostate cancer treatment arriving and, possibly, being dispensed in the UK through the 'legitimate' supply chain. | |
"This is clearly of great concern. The wholesaler who alerted the MHRA should be commended. | |
"We have to wait and see how many of the batch are located and whether in fact men have taken any of them and, if so, for how long." |
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