Cancer drug recall confirmed by UK regulators

A cancer drug recall has been initiated due to reports of excessive levels of an active ingredient used in the drug.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca UK has initiated the recall, primarily for batch NG327, because the “level of olaparib polymorphic form L exceeds the registered specification limit”.

As well as the batch being recalled above, there are other batches that are a part of the recall as well, which is all said to be a part of a precautionary measure.

We don’t need to go into any detail as to how important cancer drugs are. Cancer remains one of the big problems that humanity is still trying to overcome, and thanks to key developments over the last few decades which have led to the use of drugs that can halt the spread of cancer and potentially save lives.

Any medical product recall can be seen as serious, but a cancer drug recall is certainly an issue that is worrisome. The product manufacturer states that “there is no safety risk to patients taking Lynparza capsules containing any level of polymorphic Form L” which suggests there is no need to worry, and they state that the recall is a precautionary measure only.

Still, a problem with a cancer drug could be concerning for patients.

Healthcare organisations are being asked to stop dispensing the drug from the list of affected batches, and to return all remaining stock to their suppliers. Generic product monitoring has reportedly uncovered the issue, leading to the Class 3 Medicines Recall being initiated.

With this being a cancer drug recall, it’s a situation we will be keeping an eye on.

We hope the advice from AstraZeneca UK that there is no risk to patient safety remains the case.