Hospital Authority to suspend supply of Europharm drugs

The Hospital Authority (HA) has stopped the supply of Allopurinol 100mg manufactured by Europharm Laboratories to 15 public hospitals, following concerns that the drug may contain harmful bacteria.

The news comes following a statement from the Health Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region on 7 March, urging all local medicine importers and exporters to recall the drug.

Allopurinol is used primarily to treat hyperuricemia and patients undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia. Investigations have begun into the deaths of five patients who are believed to have taken contanimated forms of the drug.

The HA has already replaced over 10,000 prescriptions of Allopruinol 100mg made by Europharm with alternatives.