Falsified Medical Product Alert N°6/2019

Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets (containing glibenclamide): falsified product alert

WHO issued this alert after a non-governmental organisation in Cameroon told WHO in March 2019 that the product had caused hypoglycaemia in patients. Testing found no hydrochlorothiazide but approximately 5mg of glibenclamide, an antidiabetic medicine. The tablets were supplied in containers of 1,000.¹

Health risk as statedWHO said this represents a risk for patients who are taking hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension.

Issued: 17 April 2019
Issued by: World Health Organization
Name stated on packaging: Sterop, stated on the packaging
Genuine manufacturer's statement: WHO said Sterop stated that it did not manufacture or supply the product and that the batch number and other label features do not match its records.
Countries where detected: Cameroon

Batches named in the alert

16G04

Advice as stated

Do not use the listed products. Anyone who has taken them or had an adverse event or lack of efficacy should seek advice from a health professional and report it to the national authorities. Obtain medical products only from authentic and reliable sources.

Names printed on falsified products are not evidence that the named company made them. Where WHO or a regulator reports the genuine manufacturer's statement, it is shown.

Sources

World Health Organization, Medical Product Alert N°6/2019: Falsified hydrochlorothiazide (17 April 2019)