Another drug being recalled

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Pharmacists are stunned by yet another drug recall, the fifth this year, Radio New Zealand reports.

Novo Nordisk's GlucaGen Hypokit 1 mg, a drug used to treat low blood sugar, is being recalled from patients because cracks have been found in some of the kit's syringes.

The Pharmacy Guild chief executive Annabel Young said patient recalls are uncommon, but there has been five this year already.

"In a typical year, we wouldn't have any. To have a patient-level recall is quite extraordinary - to have five is beyond belief," Ms Young told Radio New Zealand.

There were no recalls last year.

Ms Young also said pharmacies are being asked to track down patients who use the drug at their own cost, without assistance from the company or Government.

"It's astonishing to me that people think they can ask for services and the not pay," she said.

Ms Young said some pharmacists were in legal battles with another drug company for compensation to cover the cost of recalls.

- NZ Herald staff