By Bahle Gama
MBABANE – The Ministry of Health has recalled two batches of Folic acid 5mg tablets and Phenoxymethylpenicillin oral solution 125mg/5mg.
According to a statement by the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, this follows the discovery of black spots on Folic acid tablets from batch #003254, while penicillin has different strengths in labelling for batch #223131144. Folic acid is a supplement, and penicillin is an antibiotic.
Folic acid tablets are commonly used by pregnant women as they prevent and treat low levels of Vitamin B9 in one’s body. They also help form red blood cells, maintain brain health, and support a healthy pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Phenoxy methyl penicillin oral solution is used to treat bacterial infections, including ear, chest, throat, and skin infections. It can also be used to prevent infections if one has sickle cell disease, or has had chorea (a movement disorder), rheumatic fever, or their spleen removed. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is only available on prescription.
Minister Matsebula clarified that it is not an issue of expired drugs as the batch of Folic acid is set to expire in February 2025, and the Phenoxy methyl penicillin is to expire in January 2025.
“The matter is being handled with high priority, and the Ministry wishes to urge the public not to panic. The national recall is a precautionary measure recommended by the Medicines Regulatory Unit (MRU), a Unit under the Ministry of Health. The recall is in the best interest of the public and is meant to protect the consumers while an investigation is ongoing,” he said.
He further stated that this is a process of quality control done to ensure that medication used by the public is safe and efficacious. It is batch-specific, meaning that only Folic acid from batch #003254 and Phenoxy methyl penicillin from batch #223131144 are affected.
Other batches or similar products are not affected. All public health facilities have already been contacted and informed of the recall of the products, and they have been advised to remove the affected products from the shelves in pharmacies.
The Ministry has also informed Healthcare professionals to stop dispensing the tablets and syrup of the affected batches, immediately. The public health facilities have also been advised to quarantine all remaining stock of the affected medicine and return it to the Central Medical Stores (CMS) through the approved processes.
“Clients taking Folic acid tablets and the penicillin syrup are advised to check their batch of medication and only discontinue use if the medication is from the affected batch; safely dispose of the medication or return it to the nearest facility and ask for another medication; call the Medicines Regulatory Unit (MRU) about any concerns or to get more information, or send a message via WhatsApp number 7655 7303,” advised the Minister.
He elaborated further that an investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders and the public will be informed of any developments in due course.
