The Health Insurance Organization issued today instructions to patients, personal and specialist doctors, as well as to GHS pharmacies for the management of Remedica pharmaceutical products affected by the voluntary recall.
In its announcement, the HIO divides the products into two categories. Those for which there is an option available with the same active ingredient and those for which there is currently no corresponding prescription option and as shown by the data as listed, for five preparations there are alternative options available but for another seven solutions are currently being sought.
The announcement includes the following 12 formulations:
Carvidex 25 mg
Clonotril 0,5 mg
Clonotril 2 mg
Cloxacillin 250 mg
Cloxacillin 500 mg
Hydralazine 25 mg
Methyldopa 250 mg
Remycin 100 mg tablets
Lorivan 1 mg
Epsitron 25 mg
Carbimazole 5 mg
Bralix 5 mg/2,5 mg
No available product of the same active substance
The HIO informs that there is no alternative prescription option available with the same active substance for the following:
Clonotril 0,5 mg – clonazepam
Clonotril 2 mg – clonazepam
Cloxacillin 250 mg – cloxacillin
Cloxacillin 500 mg – cloxacillin
Hydralazine 25 mg – hydralazine
Epsitron 25 mg – captopril
Methyldopa 250 mg – methyldopa
For most there are drugs available with a different active substance, but from the same pharmacological class. This applies to clonotril, cloxacillin, nifedipine and epsitron.
For hydralazine 25 mg and methyldopa 250 mg, the HIO states that there is no option available even with a different active substance from the same pharmacological class.
The Organization will proceed with actions through the Purchasing and Procurement Directorate of the Ministry of Health to identify and supply alternative pharmaceutical products.
Switching to a drug with a different active ingredient is not a simple replacement at the pharmacy. It requires a new medical evaluation and a proper prescription.
Alternatives with the same active substance
For seven products, the HIO records available options with the same active substance.
Carbimazole 5 mg: An alternative product with carbimazole 5 mg has already been secured, which, according to the announcement, will be available from August 13, with distribution by Marathon Distributors.
Carvidex 25 mg: As an alternative with carvedilol 25 mg, bicol 25 mg is recorded
Remycin 100 mg in tablets: As options with doxycycline 100 mg are recorded:
Cloxacillin 250 mg – cloxacillin
Cloxacillin 500 mg – cloxacillin
Hydralazine 25 mg – hydralazine
Epsitron 25 mg – captopril
Methyldopa 250 mg – methyldopa
For most there are drugs available with a different active substance, but from the same pharmacological class. This applies to clonotril, cloxacillin, nifedipine and epsitron.
For hydralazine 25 mg and methyldopa 250 mg, the HIO states that there is no option available even with a different active substance from the same pharmacological class.
The Organization will proceed with actions through the Purchasing and Procurement Directorate of the Ministry of Health to identify and supply alternative pharmaceutical products.
Switching to a drug with a different active ingredient is not a simple replacement at the pharmacy. It requires a new medical evaluation and a proper prescription.
Alternatives with the same active substance
For seven products, the HIO records available options with the same active substance.
Carbimazole 5 mg: An alternative product with carbimazole 5 mg has already been secured, which, according to the announcement, will be available from August 13, with distribution by Marathon Distributors.
Carvidex 25 mg: As an alternative with carvedilol 25 mg, bicol 25 mg is recorded
Remycin 100 mg in tablets: As options with doxycycline 100 mg are recorded:
Doxat 100 mg tablets
Medomycin 100 mg capsules
Remycin 100 mg capsules
Lorivan 1 mg: Lorans 1 mg is recorded as an option with lorazepam 1 mg
Βralix 5 mg/2.5 mg: Librax 5 mg/2.5 mg is listed as an option with chlordiazepoxide 5 mg and clidinium bromide 2.5 mg
Although these alternatives contain the same active substance, patients should not choose a product on their own. The replacement must be carried out in accordance with the instructions of a doctor or pharmacist and the procedures of the GHS.
Instructions to patients and pharmacies
The HIO calls on pharmacies to check their stocks and ensure that affected products are not made available to beneficiaries.
For batch numbers and the return process, pharmacies are referred to Remedica's announcements.
Patients should contact their treating physicians in order to safely replace the medication they are receiving.
Furthermore, and according to the company's own instructions, patients are asked to return the products in their possession to the pharmacy in their neighbourhood.
The announcement of the HIO also includes the preparations:
Medomycin 100 mg capsules
Remycin 100 mg capsules
Lorivan 1 mg: Lorans 1 mg is recorded as an option with lorazepam 1 mg
Βralix 5 mg/2.5 mg: Librax 5 mg/2.5 mg is listed as an option with chlordiazepoxide 5 mg and clidinium bromide 2.5 mg
Although these alternatives contain the same active substance, patients should not choose a product on their own. The replacement must be carried out in accordance with the instructions of a doctor or pharmacist and the procedures of the GHS.
Instructions to patients and pharmacies
The HIO calls on pharmacies to check their stocks and ensure that affected products are not made available to beneficiaries.
For batch numbers and the return process, pharmacies are referred to Remedica's announcements.
Patients should contact their treating physicians in order to safely replace the medication they are receiving.
Furthermore, and according to the company's own instructions, patients are asked to return the products in their possession to the pharmacy in their neighbourhood.
The announcement of the HIO also includes the preparations:
Nifedipine 10 mg
Atorstan 10 mg
Atorstan 20 mg
For these drugs, patients should not make any changes. The announcement concerns the doctors who must proceed with the expiration of the current prescriptions to replace them as well as the pharmacists who are called upon to take the necessary relevant actions regarding their stocks.
Atorstan 10 mg
Atorstan 20 mg
For these drugs, patients should not make any changes. The announcement concerns the doctors who must proceed with the expiration of the current prescriptions to replace them as well as the pharmacists who are called upon to take the necessary relevant actions regarding their stocks.
