Breaking News: TGA orders recall of 44 brands of potentially dangerous cough medicine from pharmacies nationwide
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We definitely do not want to get hit with the dreaded cold or flu, but at least we usually know that with a few extra doses of warm soup and some pharmaceutical help, we can get over it in a few days.
However, if you end up stocking up on the wrong cough medicine, it could lead to a much more serious health problem.
We all know that the flu and colds are no laughing matter and avoiding these illnesses is always a priority. That’s probably why there are various treatments readily available over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Pholcodine has been used in a wide range of over-the-counter pharmacy medicines designed to relieve the symptoms of colds and flus, including lozenges and syrups. Not only that but it has also been used in combination with other medicines designed to treat symptoms.
However, following a safety investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), pholcodine-containing medicines are officially being recalled from pharmacies across the country – immediately!
The cancellation and recall actions are being taken due to a link between pholcodine-containing medicines and an increase in the risk of anaphylactic reactions (a sudden, severe, and life-threatening allergic reaction) to certain medicines used as muscle relaxants during general anaesthesia (called neuromuscular blocking agents).
According to Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Head of TGA, predicting the individuals who might be at risk of anaphylaxis during anesthesia is a challenging task, and some patients may not even be aware if they have consumed pholcodine medications recently.
He explained: ‘Some patients undergoing emergency surgery may not be in a position to talk to their anaesthetist at all. In addition, while surgical facilities may ask about which prescription medicines a patient is taking, they may not ask about over-the-counter products.’
‘Fortunately, safer alternatives to treat a dry cough are available and consumers should ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice. I urge consumers to check if any of your over-the-counter cold and flu medicines contain pholcodine and, if they do, ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest an alternative treatment.’
‘If you will need general anaesthesia and have taken pholcodine in the past 12 months, I advise you to tell your health professional. Health professionals should also check whether patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia have used pholcodine in the previous 12 months.’
Prof Skerritt also urged Australians to take the necessary precautions in their current situation. Up to 9 February this year, the TGA has received 50 reports of suspected pholcodine-related anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents, including one fatality.
The investigation conducted by the TGA followed an announcement made by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommending that all pholcodine-containing medicines be withdrawn from the European market.
A previous study conducted in Western Australia also demonstrated that pholcodine is a risk factor, which is consistent with the European findings.
Below is the list of cough syrups that are affected by the recall:
More information about the recall can be read here, while more information about the medicines affected can be accessed through this link.
Members, please check your medicine cabinet and those of your friends and family for any of the listed medicines. If you find any, kindly bring it to their attention and inform them about this recall.
Stay safe out there!
However, if you end up stocking up on the wrong cough medicine, it could lead to a much more serious health problem.
We all know that the flu and colds are no laughing matter and avoiding these illnesses is always a priority. That’s probably why there are various treatments readily available over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Pholcodine has been used in a wide range of over-the-counter pharmacy medicines designed to relieve the symptoms of colds and flus, including lozenges and syrups. Not only that but it has also been used in combination with other medicines designed to treat symptoms.
However, following a safety investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), pholcodine-containing medicines are officially being recalled from pharmacies across the country – immediately!
Pholcodine is used in a wide range of over-the-counter pharmaceutical products to treat dry coughs. Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio.
The cancellation and recall actions are being taken due to a link between pholcodine-containing medicines and an increase in the risk of anaphylactic reactions (a sudden, severe, and life-threatening allergic reaction) to certain medicines used as muscle relaxants during general anaesthesia (called neuromuscular blocking agents).
According to Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Head of TGA, predicting the individuals who might be at risk of anaphylaxis during anesthesia is a challenging task, and some patients may not even be aware if they have consumed pholcodine medications recently.
He explained: ‘Some patients undergoing emergency surgery may not be in a position to talk to their anaesthetist at all. In addition, while surgical facilities may ask about which prescription medicines a patient is taking, they may not ask about over-the-counter products.’
‘Fortunately, safer alternatives to treat a dry cough are available and consumers should ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice. I urge consumers to check if any of your over-the-counter cold and flu medicines contain pholcodine and, if they do, ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest an alternative treatment.’
‘If you will need general anaesthesia and have taken pholcodine in the past 12 months, I advise you to tell your health professional. Health professionals should also check whether patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia have used pholcodine in the previous 12 months.’
Prof Skerritt also urged Australians to take the necessary precautions in their current situation. Up to 9 February this year, the TGA has received 50 reports of suspected pholcodine-related anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents, including one fatality.
The investigation conducted by the TGA followed an announcement made by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommending that all pholcodine-containing medicines be withdrawn from the European market.
A previous study conducted in Western Australia also demonstrated that pholcodine is a risk factor, which is consistent with the European findings.
Below is the list of cough syrups that are affected by the recall:
- AMCAL DRY COUGH FORTE pholcodine 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- AMCAL DRY COUGH MIXTURE pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- APOHEALTH DRY TICKLY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- APOHEALTH DRY TICKLY COUGH RELIEF FORTE pholcodine 4 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- BENADRYL DRY, TICKLY COUGH FORTE pholcodine 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- CHEMISTS' OWN DRY COUGH pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- CHEMISTS' OWN DRY COUGH FORTE pholcodine 3mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- CHEMISTS' OWN DRY COUGH REGULAR pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- CODRAL DRY COUGH FORTE STRENGTH pholcodine 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- GOLD CROSS PHOLCODINE DRY FORTE 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- GOLD CROSS DRY TICKLY COUGH RELIEF PHOLCODINE pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- GOLD CROSS PHOLCODINE 1mg/mL LINCTUS oral liquid APF bottle
- LOGICIN DRY COUGH Pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- NEO DRY TICKLY COUGH LIQUID pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- NEO DRY TICKLY COUGH FORTE Pholcodine 4 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- NOUMED DRY COUGH LIQUID pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- NOUMED DRY COUGH LIQUID FORTE pholcodine 4 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACOR DRY TICKLY COUGH MEDICINE pholcodine 1mg/mL bottle
- PHARMACY ACTION DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY CHOICE DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 5 mg / 5 mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY CHOICE DRY COUGH RELIEF FORTE pholcodine 20 mg / 5 mL oral liquid bottle.
- PHARMACY CHOICE DRY TICKLY COUGH MEDICINE pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY CHOICE PHOLCODINE DRY FORTE 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY HEALTH DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 5mg/5mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY HEALTH DRY COUGH RELIEF FORTE pholcodine 4 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PHARMACY HEALTH DRY TICKLY COUGH MIXTURE pholcodine 1mg/mL bottle
- PHARMACTION COUGH SUPPRESSANT pholcodine 1mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PRICELINE PHARMACY DRY COUGH RELIEF FORTE pholcodine 4 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- PRICELINE PHARMACY DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 5mg/5mL oral liquid bottle
- PRICELINE PHARMACY DRY TICKLY COUGH MIXTURE pholcodine 1mg/mL bottle
- SOUL PATTINSON DRY TICKLY COUGH MEDICINE pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- TERRYWHITE CHEMMART DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 5mg/5mL oral liquid bottle
- TERRYWHITE CHEMMART DRY COUGH RELIEF FORTE pholcodine 20 mg / 5 mL oral liquid bottle
- TERRYWHITE CHEMMART DRY COUGH FORTE pholcodine 4 mg/ mL oral liquid bottle
- TERRYWHITE CHEMMART DRY COUGH RELIEF pholcodine 1 mg/mL oral liquid bottle
- TRUST PHOLCODINE DRY FORTE 4mg/mL oral liquid bottle
More information about the recall can be read here, while more information about the medicines affected can be accessed through this link.
Members, please check your medicine cabinet and those of your friends and family for any of the listed medicines. If you find any, kindly bring it to their attention and inform them about this recall.
Stay safe out there!
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