Nurses should inform asthma patients that three batches of Ventolin Accuhaler and Seretide Accuhaler asthma inhalers have been recalled for not delivering the full number of doses.
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned that patients using the affected Ventolin devices may find their symptoms are not relieved as normal.
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Dr Andy Whittamore, GP and clinical lead at Asthma UK, told the BBC it was ‘extremely worrying’ and ‘could put people’s lives at risk’.
‘If someone’s inhaler is faulty they may find it doesn’t help, which could be frightening and mean they’re more likely to have an asthma attack’, he said.
Patients with affected inhalers should take them to their pharmacy and get a replacement.
The fault is the result of a manufacturing problem. The two affected batches of Ventolin Accuhaler and the one affected batch of Seretide were distributed to the UK market and were manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd.
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Other asthma inhalers, including the more commonly used Ventolin Evohaler, are not affected.
The Seretide Accuhaler, used for maintenance treatment is being recalled from hospitals and pharmacies, retailers and wholesalers across the UK.
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The affected batches are:
- Ventolin 200mcg – Accuhaler 1x60D, 786G, exp 05/2019.
- Ventolin 200mcg – Accuhaler 1x60D, 754P, exp 05/2019.
- Seretide 50/250mcg – Accuhaler 1x60D, 5K8W, exp 04/2019.
Bernadette Sinclair Jenkins, from the MHRA, said: ‘It is important people check whether they have an affected inhaler. We want patients and their families to be confident treatment will be safe and effective when required.’
