By Kath Gannaway
A recall of Valium (diazepam) announced on 26 May, had Yarra Ranges pharmacies contacting customers over the weekend advising them to check their medications.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration announced the recall on its website saying that Roche Products was recalling all batches of Valium 5mg tablets supplied in blister packs of 50 tablets due to the discovery of evidence of medicine tampering.
The tablets contain diazepam, which is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and muscle spasms.
The TGA said blister pack sheets containing other medicines had been substituted into some packs of Valium 5mg tablets. These medicines may include (but may not be limited to) BTC Paracetamol Codeine tablets, BTC Rosuvastatin 10mg tablets and Apotex-Pantoprazole 40mg tablets.
“If a patient has an affected pack, there is a risk that they will not have adequate supply of their medicine and could take the incorrect medicine, which could have serious health consequences,” the TGA advised.
A Yarra Ranges pharmacist contacted by the Mail advised consumers with a Valium (diazepam) prescription to contact their pharmacy immediately to check that they are not affected.
“Take your tablets to your local pharmacist and they will be able to sort it out,” he said.
He said anyone who had handed on Valium (diazepam) medication to others needed to be aware of the situation and possible consequences.
“People handing on medication to someone that it’s not prescribed for is an issue, whether it’s Valium or anything else,” he said.
“That’s something we, as pharmacists, have no control over and no way of knowing who does it.”
He said anyone who has handed on Valium needs to contact the recipient immediately and tell them the medication has been recalled.
If possible, consumers are advised to return Valium to the same pharmacy from which it was dispensed and to take along a script/repeat if they have one.
