WHO identifies contaminated cancer drugs in Lebanon and Yemen

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it identified a batch  of a contaminated drugs for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases in  Lebanon and Yemen.
 
The WHO Medical Product Alert refers to one batch of substandard METHOTREXTM (methotrexate) 50mg.
 
Following  unexpected medical problems in pediatric patients receiving the drug,  health authorities in Yemen and Lebanon conducted microbiological  testing on unopened vials of METHOTREXTM 50mg. The results in both  countries were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which indicates  contamination of the products.
 
WHO warned that the patients who  receive methotrexate treatment may have weakened immune systems and can  be more vulnerable to infections, adding that Pseudomonas aeruginosa  bloodstream infection may pose serious health risks.
 
The  organization noted that batch MTI2101BAQ was intended to be sold in the  Indian market, remarking that the batch available in Yemen and Lebanon  was “procured outside the regulated supply chain.”
 
“Therefore,  the stated manufacturer cannot guarantee the safety of this product  which was not destined for these markets,” WHO said.

After WHO’s  warning, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health stated that it will  withdraw the counterfeit batch from the Lebanese market and prevent its  circulation while stressing the need not to buy any medicine from an  unknown source and to abide by the list of medications published on the  Ministry’s website to ensure the safety of citizens and to protect them  from the use of counterfeit medicines.
 
Adding that, it will  follow up on this file to reveal those involved in the health incident  and take the necessary measures against them.