About 200 cancer patients have been contacted over concerns that their chemotherapy drugs could have been contaminated with an infectious bacteria.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said there were no indications from the drug company that anyone at the 13 public hospitals using the treatments had been affected but patients have been offered appointments as a precaution.
Fannin Compounding, a Dublin-based pharmaceutical company, has recalled some batches of its chemotherapy medication after it was discovered that a manufacturing machine was contaminated with a bacterium, bacillus cereus, which is normally associated with food poisoning
The bacterium can sometimes cause potentially life-threatening gastro-intestinal infections in people with low immune systems. A routine test by the company at its factory in Sandyford found that cancer drugs produced between September 29 and October 12 were exposed to bacteria.
The hospitals that may have been affected are Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Rotunda Maternity Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Rathgar, Bantry General Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Naas General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, South Infirmary Hospital in Cork and St James’ Hospital in Dublin.
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The sample found to have bacteria in it was a test product and not medicine that was given to patients. The relevant manufacturing unit has been taken out of use and an investigation is under way.
The Irish Cancer Society said that it was aware of the recall and was available to support anyone concerned.
“Anything which has an adverse effect on cancer patients and causes anxiety to patients and their families is of paramount concern to the society. The society is in touch with the HSE and is continuing to monitor the situation closely,” it said.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said that all 200 patients had been contacted and offered an appointment
“However, if in the interim any of these patients experience any unexpected symptoms differing from what they normally experience after treatment, they are being advised to attend or contact their treating hospital,” she said.
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The Health Product Recall Authority (HPRA), which licenses Fannin Compounding, said there was no evidence to show that any of the drugs had been infected.
There have been three other precautionary recalls of products by Fannin Compounding this year.