Contaminated Cancer Drugs Were Used by 17 Patients in Queensland: Report

Health experts in Queensland are blaming fungal contamination for a bad batch of chemotherapy drugs that were used in treating 17 cancer patients in the state. The contaminated drugs were manufactured by Fresenius Kabi Australia Proprietary Limited and when it got to know of the contamination, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a product recall notice, adding that their risk assessment revealed that there was a potential risk for patients as the sterility of product may have been compromised.

Admitting that the use of the bad drugs poses a serious risk to patients whose immune systems are already weakened, Queensland Health Department spokeswoman Dr Jeannette Young revealed that so far the patients have not displayed any negative effects though they are being closely monitored by their doctors.

“The patients involved were receiving Chemotherapy as part of their treatment and as such, were immunocompromised. To date, the affected patients have not suffered any adverse effects but remain under the supervision of their treating clinician”, a Queensland Health statement said.

Source-Medindia