FMD alert sparks UK recall of allergy drug

The UK drugs regulator has issued a recall for a hayfever drug sold by a GlaxoSmithKline unit because of an error in Falsified Medicines Directive scanning.

The recall of a single batch (K84x) of Glaxo Wellcome UK’s Beconase (beclometasone dipropionate) aqueous nasal spray has been prompted by an error in the decommissioning of the product when the 2D barcode on the pack is scanned in pharmacies.

“The status of packs may report as ‘DESTROYED’,” says the MHRA. While there is no risk to product quality, any remaining stock should be quarantined and returned, it adds.

It is the first recall prompted by an FMD alert since July 2019, which involved various medicines that were taken out of the regulated medicines' supply chain during distribution and later re-introduced, which meant their transport and storage conditions could not be guaranteed.

“Stop supplying the batch listed above immediately,” says the MHRA in its latest alert. “Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process.”