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Date Published: 28/09/2021
ARCHIVED - Spain recalls Pfizer anti-smoking drug from pharmacies
Popular drug Champix has been removed from sale throughout Spain indefinitely
The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has decided to stop the distribution of new units of Champix, the Pfizer drug that is prescribed to patients who wish to quit smoking, while it investigates the presence of the impurity N-nitrosovarenicline in certain batches.
While the agency initially reported that the supply of the medication would likely resume before the end of September once the issue was resolved, the Ministry of Health in Spain confirmed on Monday September 27 that the supply would be suspended indefinitely, at least until new batches of the drug could be analysed for similar impurities.
Based on the current data available, AEMPS has assured that the anti-smoking medication, which is popular around the globe, poses no immediate risk to patients; however, European experts have demanded the recall of all batches that exceed the desired limit as soon as possible, purely as a preventative measure.
In Spain, the lots affected by the recall are all those that can currently be found in wholesale warehouses and pharmacies, further details of which can be found on the AEMPS website. Given that Pfizer, the same company who make the Pfizer Covid vaccine, has not yet provided a new reinstatement date, no new treatments should be started until the drug is officially available on the market again.
Image: Pfizer
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