MHRA Class 3 Medicines Recall: Oestrogel Pump-Pack 750 micrograms/actuation Gel (estradiol) (Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd)

Drug alert number: EL (24)A/09

Date issued: 19 March 2024

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 3 medicines recall for: Oestrogel Pump-Pack 750 micrograms/actuation Gel (estradiol) (Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd) PL 28397/0002

SNOMED Code: 3414911000001105

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient: estradiol

Brief description of the problem

Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd has informed the MHRA that a defective pump system was detected in two batches of Oestrogel Pump-Pack 750 micrograms/actuation Gel. The product pumps are subject to mechanical faults which result in the failure to dispense the product and in some cases, the detachment of the pump from the container. It is estimated that 11% of units across the two batches could be affected by the defect.

Where the pump is functioning, there is no impact on the quality or safety of the Gel and therefore this is not a patient level recall.

Advice for healthcare professionals

Stop supplying the above batches immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process. Follow your company’s returns procedure through your wholesaler to arrange a credit note or contact Besins (see Further Information below for contact details).

If a patient presents with a defective pump from these batches a replacement product will be required. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that, as this is a prescription only medicine, a new prescription will be required for the dispensing of a replacement product.

The majority of patients who have received this product will be entitled to free prescriptions or have arrangements in place for a HRT pre-payment certificate and therefore a new prescription will not incur any additional costs. Where patients pay for NHS prescriptions, a charge for the new prescription will apply; patients may contact the Defective Medicines Reporting Centre if further information is required.

Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd has confirmed that all other batches are unaffected and that there is no impact on supply.

Full drug alert can be viewed here.

Advice for patients

Patients who experience issues with a pump from the batches specified in the table should return the defective pumps to their pharmacy. As this is a prescription only medicine, a new prescription will be required for the dispensing of a replacement product. Patients with a HRT pre-payment certificate will not incur any additional costs. Where patients pay for NHS prescriptions, a charge for the new prescription will apply; patients may contact the Defective Medicines Reporting Centre if further information is required.

No further action is required by patients as this is a Pharmacy and Wholesaler level recall. Where the pump is functioning correctly, patients should continue to take medicines from these batches as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Patients who experience adverse reactions, defective medicines or have any questions about the medication, should seek medical attention and report their symptoms to pharmacovigilance@besins-healthcare.com. Any suspected adverse reactions should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Further Information

For medical information enquiries please contact the Besins Healthcare UK Ltd Medical Information via email besins@eu.propharmagroup.com or by calling +44 (0)1748 828 789.

For stock control enquiries please contact Besins Healthcare UK Ltd Supply Chain via email supplychain-bhuk@besins-healthcare.com.