What's new in November 2011

New for November

• 29 Nov 2011 | Our Divisions
  

  This section provides details of the responsibilities of our ten Divisions.

• 28 Nov 2011 | Medical Device Alert: Blood glucose analyser manufactured by HemoCue AB (MDA/2011/107)
  

  This Medical Device Alert has been issued in relation to the Blood glucose analyser, Glucose 201+, as there is potential for missed hyperglycaemia if you are using this machine with outdated software.

• 24 Nov 2011 | Reducing medicines risk - Learning package on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
  

  We have just launched a learning module on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants for clinical practitioners.

• 23 Nov 2011 | Press release: Cancer drugs precautionary recall - UK medicines regulator issues drug alerts
  

  The MHRA has today issued drug alerts to hospitals, clinics and wholesalers about some batches of the cancer drugs Busilvex and Velcade, used to treat bone marrow cancer, following a precautionary recall concerning a theoretical risk of contamination.

• 23 Nov 2011 | Class 2 Drug Alert (Action within 48 hours): Pierre Fabre Médicament - Busilvex 6mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion - EL (11)A/30
  

  Pierre Fabre Limited is recalling all remaining stock of specific batches of Busilvex 6mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion due to concerns that acceptable levels of sterility assurance during manufacture cannot be guaranteed.

• 23 Nov 2011 | Class 2 Drug Alert (Action within 48 hours): Janssen-Cilag Ltd - Velcade 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection - EL (11)A/29
  

  Janssen-Cilag Ltd is recalling all remaining stock of specific batches of Velcade 3.5mg powder for solution for injection due to concerns that acceptable levels of sterility assurance during manufacture cannot be guaranteed.

• 22 Nov 2011 | Press release: Cancer drugs recall
  

  The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended a recall of three drugs used in cancer therapy following an inspection of a US manufacturing site that highlighted several quality assurance problems in the sterilisation process.

• 22 Nov 2011 | Press release: Counterfeit drug peddlers sentenced
  

  The illegal online pharmacy industry was dealt a significant blow with the sentencing of two men at Harrow Crown Court yesterday.

• 22 Nov 2011 | One Liners issue 90 - November 2011: Assistive Technologies Special Issue
  

  This news sheet is aimed at healthcare professionals and highlights incidents involving slings and hoists which have resulted in serious injury or even death.

• 21 Nov 2011 | Class 4 Drug Alert: Aurum Pharmaceuticals Limited (trading as Martindale Pharma) - yellow boxed Pre Filled Syringes - EL (11)A/28
  

  Further to the Class 4 Drug Alert, EL (11)/A/27, issued on Friday 11 November 2011, Aurum Pharmaceuticals Limited (trading as Martindale Pharma) has informed us that their ongoing root cause investigation has identified a second single ‘rogue’ box within a batch of a different product.