Health authorities have announced the emergency recall of a batch of a common drug for treating high blood pressure, following a possible packaging error.
Pharmaceutical company Crescent Pharma is recalling the GR164099 series of Ramipril 5 mg capsules from the market, after it was discovered that some boxes may have mistakenly contained Amlodipine 5 mg tablets.
The problem was discovered after a pharmacy reported the case of a patient who noticed that a box marked as Ramipril 5 mg actually contained blisters of Amlodipine. Both drugs are used to treat hypertension and are manufactured by the same company in the same factory, so it is suspected that the error occurred when placing the blisters in the box.
Authorities have urged patients and pharmacists to immediately check the packaging of the medicine. People taking Ramipril should verify that their box bears the batch number GR164099. If blisters marked Amlodipine are found inside the box, the medicine should be returned to the pharmacy.
According to an official announcement, the risk of patients mistakenly taking another blood pressure medication is considered low. However, the most common side effects that may occur are dizziness or a feeling of weakness, due to a decrease in blood pressure.
Ramipril is a drug widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It also helps improve survival in patients who have had a heart attack.
The deputy director for benefit-risk assessment at the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Shareen Doak, advised patients:
Check if the medicine box has the serial number GR164099.
Verify if the name of the medicine on the box matches that on the blisters inside it.
If the blisters are marked as Amlodipine 5 mg, patients should contact their pharmacist immediately. If the blisters are correctly marked as Ramipril 5 mg, no further action is required.
Patients who think they may have taken Amlodipine by mistake and experience side effects should seek medical advice immediately. They are advised to take the medicine package leaflet and any remaining tablets with them when they go to the pharmacy or doctor.
Experts emphasize that the health risk is very low, as both drugs are used to treat high blood pressure. However, because the body may not be used to another drug, blood pressure may drop more than usual and dizziness may occur.
Authorities have also instructed pharmacies and healthcare professionals to return any remaining stock of this batch to suppliers. The MHRA is responsible for overseeing medicines and medical devices in the UK, ensuring they are effective and meet safety standards. /GazetaExpress/
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