Evidence of tampering with Valium medication in Australia
pharmafile | May 31, 2017 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development |Â Â Roche, valiumÂ
Roche, the supplier of Valium in Australia, had notified the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that it had discovered evidence of tampering with its product. The company that Roche works with to distribute the medicine, Symbion Contract Logistics, revealed that it had sacked one worker in response to the news.
Roche discovered that the tampering had occurred after the Valium stock was released from its warehouse. The TGA released that it had been informed that the packets could now contain codeine, Rosuvastin, Apotex-Pantoprazol or Stemetil tablets.
The distribution facility is based in Sydney but it is not known how many packets were affected or how far they may have spread across the country. The TGA has stressed that the number of packets is thought to be quite low.
Roche produces approximately 30,000 packets of the pills every month of the 50-tablet packs.
“I am not sure how many patients would be affected, but it’s important that the packets are returned and that patients seek medical advice,” said Svend Peterson, Roche Products’ Managing Director.
It is believed that an individual may have been replacing medication in the Valium packets but is thought to be limited to only one unit of the tablets. With one man already arrested by New South Wales police, the motive is thought to be theft in order to re-sell the Valium tablets but it is not yet known if there were more people involved in the operation.
The TGA is advising anyone that has 50-tablet packets of Valium should return the medicine to a pharmacy and potentially to have a health check-up if any side-effects are noted. The medication is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and muscle spasms.
Ben Hargreaves
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