A batch of Ramipril 5mg capsules, produced by Crescent Pharma Limited, is being recalled due to a potential manufacturing error.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has advised patients to check whether their packaging matches the affected batch number GR164099, which has an expiry date of October 2026 and comes in packs of 28 capsules.
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) a potential manufacturing error may have led to two blood pressure medicines being packaged incorrectly.
This follows a complaint from a pharmacy after a patient reported that a pack labelled Ramipril 5 mg capsules contained blister strips of Amlodipine tablets, also used to treat blood pressure, inside the sealed carton.
Both blood pressure medications are produced by the same manufacturer, at the same site, and the error appears to have occurred during secondary packaging of the strips into the cartons.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “If you have received Ramipril 5mg capsules from either of our hospital pharmacies (inpatient or outpatient) within the last 28 days, please check for the following:
“Batch number: GR164099; expiry date: 10/2026; pack size: 28.
“If the above match, please open the Ramipril box and check the capsules inside.
“If the medication is not Ramipril, please return the pack to your local pharmacy, and contact your GP to arrange a new supply.”
According to the MHRA, the risk to patients of the accidental substitution of one widely used blood pressure medication for another is low. The most likely side effect would be dizziness related to low blood pressure.
Shareen Doak, deputy director of benefit-risk evaluation at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: “If you take Ramipril, check the packaging for batch number GR164099.
“The batch number and expiry date information can be found on the outer carton.
“If you have received this batch, check that the medication name on the carton matches the blister strips inside.
“If the carton contains blister strips that are labelled as Amlodipine 5 mg tablets, contact your dispensing pharmacy.
“If the carton contains blister strips that are correctly labelled as Ramipril 5 mg Capsules, you do not need to take further action.”
The MHRA has advised pharmacy and healthcare professionals to return all remaining stock to their suppliers.