THE ESSENTIAL
- The ANSM recalled a batch of atorvastatin, a cholesterol medication, following the discovery of a gliclazide tablet, a treatment for diabetes, in a bottle. The recall concerns batch JBM2300810F, distributed since February 2024.
- Accidentally taking gliclazide can cause hypoglycemia, with symptoms such as sweating, dizziness or excessive hunger. Patients are invited to return the bottles concerned to the pharmacy without changing their treatment without medical advice.
- Although rare, these incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of quality controls to prevent such risks.
A packaging error which could have serious consequences. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) and the Arrow Generics laboratory announced, Thursday, November 21, the recall of a batch of atorvastatin, a medication prescribed for cholesterol. The problem ? A tablet of another treatment, gliclazide, used for type 2 diabetes, was discovered in this batch. “This recall is being carried out as a precautionary measure following the detection of a modified release gliclazide 30 mg tablet in a bottle of atorvastatin 10 mg tablets from this lot”specifies the medicines agency.
A very real risk for the patient
The recall concerns batch JBM2300810F, distributed since February 2024. According to the ANSM, the reported error has only been detected in one vial to date. Both atorvastatin and gliclazide tablets are white, but they differ in shape and engraving.
Although, for the moment, no cases have been reported, the risk for the patient is very real in the event of confusion: accidental taking of gliclazide can cause hypoglycemia. This, characterized by too low blood sugar, can manifest itself with symptoms such as sweating, tremors, dizziness, nausea or even a feeling of intense hunger. If such signs appear after taking the medication, it is essential to contact a healthcare professional promptly.
People with a bottle of the batch concerned are invited to check the reference on their packaging. If there is a match with the number JBM2300810F, they must return the bottle to the pharmacy to replace it with a compliant product. The ANSM, however, reminds that you should neither interrupt nor modify your treatment without the advice of a doctor. For their part, pharmacists are responsible for contacting patients who have received this batch and replacing the bottles concerned. Please note that this error does not affect boxes of atorvastatin packaged in blister packs.
The importance of quality control of medicines
Although rare, these packaging incidents are not unprecedented. Last February, BFMTV revealed in particular that a hypnotic had been found in boxes of Euphytose, a herbal medicine. These errors, whose impact remains limited, underline the importance of quality controls in the pharmaceutical production chain, and remind patients of the importance of carefully checking their treatments. In case of doubt, the pharmacist remains the first contact to guarantee secure medical monitoring.
