1) Recall of Alysena 28
As you likely heard in the media, there has been a recall of Alysena 28 due to the packaging containing two rows of placebo instead of the usual one row, which may increase the chance of pregnancy. The Health Unit dispenses Alesse and does not dispense Alysena. However, as you know, pharmacists can substitute Alysena for Alesse prescriptions.
On April 12, we received the following information from another health unit based on a phone call they had with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA):
- The prescribing provider does have a legal obligation to contact patients who may have received the affected generic medication (even if only the brand name medication was prescribed).
- This obligation is independent of the pharmacists’ obligation, and if there were an unintended pregnancy as a result of the recall, the prescribing physician is still liable.
We have not spoken with the Canadian Medical Protective Association ourselves. However, in the meantime, we have posted some information on our website and sent some information to the media. We will let you know when we have additional information.
Additional information on the recall is available on Health Canada’s web site http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/26663r-eng.php#affected-touches
2) H7N9 Influenza Guidance Document from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Today, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care issued guidance information on the management of patients suspected to have H7N9 influenza based on:
- Illness compatible with influenza of any severity and travel to China in the past 10 days; or
- Illness compatible with influenza of any severity and contact with a person who is confirmed or very likely to have H7N9 influenza.
The attached guidance document outlines the case definitions, reporting, assessment, testing and treatment recommendations from the Ministry. Also attached is a letter from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arlene King.
The latest update from the World Health Organization as of April 12, 2013 is as follows:
“To date, a total of 43 patients have been laboratory confirmed with influenza A (H7N9) virus in China; including 11 deaths. More than a thousand close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored……At this time there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.”