Canadian Drug Maker Apotex Recalls Medications

CanWest News Service Reported September 17th that Canadian generic drug giant Apotex voluntarily recalled some of its drugs late Thursday following a Health Canada investigation launched last July into the company's manufacturing practices.

The investigation was initiated after U.S. regulators found "significant deviations" from good manufacturing practices during an inspection at Apotex's Toronto plant.

In a news release, Health Canada said Thursday the recall applies to three lots of drugs including:

• Apo-Amilzide (5 to 50 mg),
• Apo-Meloxicam (7.5 and 15 mg)
• Apo-Ranitidine (75 and 150 mg)

These medications are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, excess stomach acid or liver cirrhosis.

Health Canada said that it will continue to inspect the Apotex facilities for the next few weeks to ensure that there is compliance.

It urges any Canadians currently taking the drugs to contact their family doctor.
The FDA warned Apotex in June that officials would begin blocking drugs at the border by the Toronto-based company if it did not begin complying with good manufacturing practices, which are universally accepted standards for product quality control.

To read the entire CanWest article visit: www.canada.com.