UN MEDIA
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert regarding the presence of a contaminated batch of METHOTREX 50mg in its Eastern Mediterranean Region.
In its statement, the organization said that the contaminated batch was found in Yemen and Lebanon after adverse effects appeared on sick children receiving the medicine. The health authorities of the two countries conducted microbiological tests on the remaining sealed vials and the test results revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which indicates contamination of the products.
About the product
On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, methotrexate is an immunosuppressive chemotherapy agent prescribed for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the bloodstream is a serious infection that can lead to death and any contaminated product injected directly into the body can pose severe risks to patients.
contaminated batch
While the manufacturing company confirmed to the World Health Organization that the information related to the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date referred to in the alert is identical to what is stated in its internal records, it has not yet obtained samples of the suspected products in order to conduct its confirmatory tests.
It is mentioned that this batch was supposed to be sold exclusively in the Indian markets and that the quantity in Lebanon and Yemen was imported from outside the organized supply chain, so the manufacturing company cannot guarantee the safety of the product.
WHO recommendations
The organization stressed the need to detect contaminated products and withdraw them from circulation to prevent harm to patients. It requested increased surveillance and vigilance at the level of supply chains in countries and territories potentially affected by this product.
The organization also advised to increase monitoring at the level of informal markets and urged the competent authorities to notify them immediately if this product was discovered in the markets of their countries.
The World Health Organization urged manufacturing companies to conduct tests to detect any microbial contamination before issuing batches of finished products for use, and stressed the need to obtain medicines through approved and licensed suppliers, and to carefully check the authenticity and physical condition of the products.