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Seven recalled medicines have no direct replacement

In-Cyprus · 2026-08-12

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Seven medicines from Remedica have been recalled, with no direct replacements available for some, prompting the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) to advise patients to consult their doctors for alternative treatments. • Why it matters: The recall affects patients who rely on these medications, particularly those with no equivalent alternatives, highlighting potential gaps in available treatments and the need for careful management of medication changes. • What to watch next: The HIO is working with the Health Ministry to procure alternative products, and updates on available replacements and guidance for affected patients will be closely monitored.

Local gesyghshealthhioTop News Seven recalled medicines have no direct replacement Seven Recalled Medicines Have No Direct Replacement Relevant News Seven recalled medicines have no direct replacement 12 August 2026 Overnight pharmacies on Wednesday, August 12 12 August 2026 Iconic Larnaca building demolished after 25-year fight 12 August 2026 Marilena Panayi 12 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Seven of the 12 Remedica products hit by a voluntary recall have no alternative available on prescription containing the same active substance, the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) said on Wednesday, as it issued guidance to patients, doctors and GHS pharmacies. Patients taking any affected medicine should contact their treating doctor so their treatment can be changed over safely, the HIO said. Switching to a drug with a different active substance is not a straightforward swap at the pharmacy counter, it said, and requires a fresh medical assessment and appropriate prescribing. Where nothing equivalent exists The seven products with no same-substance alternative are Clonotril 0.5mg and 2mg (clonazepam), Cloxacillin 250mg and 500mg (cloxacillin), Hydralazine 25mg (hydralazine), Epsitron 25mg (captopril) and Methyldopa 250mg (methyldopa). For most of these, drugs with a different active substance from the same pharmacological class are available. That applies to clonotril, cloxacillin and epsitron. For Hydralazine 25mg and Methyldopa 250mg there is nothing available at all, the HIO said, not even a different active substance from the same class. The organisation said it will work through the Health Ministry’s Purchasing and Supplies Directorate to find and procure alternative products. Where alternatives exist Five products have alternatives containing the same active substance, according to the HIO. A replacement carbimazole 5mg product has already been secured for Carbimazole 5mg and will be available from August 13, distributed by Marathon Distributors. For Carvidex 25mg, the listed carvedilol 25mg option is Bicol 25mg. For Remycin 100mg tablets, the doxycycline 100mg options are Doxat 100mg tablets, Medomycin 100mg capsules and Remycin 100mg capsules. For Lorivan 1mg, the lorazepam 1mg option is Lorans 1mg. For Bralix 5mg/2.5mg, the option containing chlordiazepoxide 5mg and clidinium bromide 2.5mg is Librax 5mg/2.5mg. Even where the active substance is identical, patients should not pick a product themselves, the HIO said. Any substitution has to follow a doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions and GHS procedures. Pharmacies and returns The HIO has asked pharmacies to check their stock and make sure affected products are not dispensed to beneficiaries. For batch numbers and the returns procedure, it referred pharmacies to Remedica’s own announcements. Patients holding affected products should return them to their local pharmacy, following the company’s instructions. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Overnight pharmacies on Wednesday, August 12 Iconic Larnaca building demolished after 25-year fight Drousiotis criminal investigations put freedom of expression at risk, journalists’ union says Freedom Holding Corp. reports 40% revenue growth in Q1 FY2027 Columbia lawsuit alleges biased disciplinary hearings against Palestinians Pentagon says US strikes killed 153 civilians in 2025 Presidential pardon frees 68 prisoners for August 15 holiday Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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