The Ministry of Health and Social Development is issuing a withdrawal and recall for  three medicines that have failed tests as part of the OECS/PPS Quality Assurance Programme and Pre-qualification Process.

Pharmacies in the Territory are being asked to remove the following medicines from their stock if they are in inventory. 

Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services Mrs. Gracia Wheatley-Smith is asking all health facilities to examine their inventory and ascertain if any of the medicines of concern are in stock. If so, the Chief of Drugs is advising that the recalled products be placed in quarantine, dispensing from the affected batch and lot number discontinued and contact be made with the supplier for additional steps.

“Health facilities should also contact me via phone at  468-9850 or email grwheatley-smith@gov.vg  to arrange for the destruction of any stock and issuance of a Certificate of Destruction.” Mrs. Wheatley-Smiths said.

 She further stated that patients who may be taking Carbimazole Tablets 5mg or Olanzapine Tablets 5mg should contact their pharmacy so the batch or lot numbers of the medicine can be checked and replacement dispensed if necessary.

The Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services is also asking anyone who has taken any of these medicines and have experienced any side effects to report it to her by contacting her at 468 9850 or emailing her at grwheatley-smith@gov.vg.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.