Batches of 5mg diazepam (Valium) tablets have been recalled following signs of tampering
Batches of 5mg diazepam (Valium) tablets have been recalled following signs that blister packs of 50 tablets, supplied by Roche Products, had been tampered with.
The TGA said the affected blister pack sheets contained substituted medicines, including statins and painkillers, such as BTC Paracetamol Codeine tablets, BTC Rosuvastatin 10mg tablets and Apotex-Pantoprazole 40mg tablets.
Batches of the medicines used as replacements have also been recalled.
While the tampering is not believed to be widespread, the matter has been referred to the police for investigation.
A Roche spokesperson said the company was confident the tampering occurred after the Valium left the Roche warehouse in Australia.
“The matter has been referred to police. All batches have been recalled in the interest of patient safety. Investigations into the extent of the tampering are ongoing,” Roche said.
The TGA advised consumers who might have the 5mg tablets in a 50-tablet blister pack not to take them and return any unused medicine to a pharmacy for a refund and to arrange alternative medicine.
Patients returning unused or partially used packs should be provided a full refund and, if possible, offered an equivalent generic product to ensure continuation of therapy and avoid any risks of discontinuation symptoms, the TGA said.
If Valium was dispensed under instructions by the prescriber to not substitute, the pharmacy might need to contact the prescriber to discuss the issue, the TGA advised.
