Boxes of Osteoarthritis drug Structum recalled from pharmacies due to bacterial contamination

Boxes of Structum, a drug intended to fight the symptoms of osteoarthritis, are being recalled due to bacterial contamination, the National Medicines Safety Agency said in a statement on Thursday (July 7th). “The Pierre Fabre Médicament laboratory is recalling batches G20078 and G20079 of the drug Structum 500 mg, capsule (box of 60, expiry date 11/2024)”clarifies the text.

This recall follows the identification of a risk of bacterial contamination of the drug during quality control. Pharmacists are invited to quickly contact the patients concerned to inform them as soon as possible. Available with or without a prescription, Structum 500 mg in the form of capsules is indicated for patients over 15 years of age in the event of osteoarthritis of a hip or knee. The batches concerned have been available in pharmacies since January 2022.

In the event of ingestion of a contaminated capsule, the patient may experience diarrhea or gastrointestinal disturbances, and even nausea and vomiting. In immunocompromised patients, the risk of possible bacterial dissemination (which could lead to serious adverse effects such as meningitis or endocarditis) cannot be ruled out. The latter must therefore consult a doctor if they have taken capsules from the boxes concerned. The Pierre Fabre laboratory specified that no case of complaint in relation to this quality defect had been reported on the date of the recall.