Potential legal action following recall of Sanofi Targocid antibiotic powder

Hausfeld is investigating potential claims following the recall of a particular antibiotic medication produced by Sanofi.

Two batches of Sanofi’s Targocid 200mg antibiotic power, affecting some 50,000 packs which have already been distributed, have been recalled because they have been found to contain toxic compounds. Targocid contains a medicine called teicoplanin and can be used to treat a wide range of infections. The medication is most commonly used in hospitals, but some patients may be given packs to use themselves at home.

The affected batches have been found to contain high levels of bacterial endotoxins, a toxic compound that can cause inflammation-related symptoms, high fever and, in very serious cases, septic shock.

The details of the affected batches are as follows:

Batch number

Expiry date

Pack size

First distributed

0J25D1

30/04/2023

1 vial

28/07/2022

0J25D2

30/04/2023

1 vial

10/08/2022

The MHRA’s recall notification confirms that four patients have unfortunately, “experienced high grade of fever approximately three hours post-administration of vials from the impacted batches”.

The MHRA further advises that that patients who have been treated with affected packs should look for symptoms including: fever or low body temperature; chills and shivering; cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin; a fast heartbeat; fast breathing; severe breathlessness; severe muscle pain; feeling dizzy or faint; a change in mental state – such as confusion or disorientation; loss of consciousness; slurred speech; nausea and vomiting; diarrhoea and feeling increasingly unwell.

Patients who have packs of the medication carrying the affected batch numbers are advised by the MHRA to immediately stop using the medication and to seek immediate medical advice. Likewise potentially affected patients who develop any new symptoms are also advised to seek medical advice.

Healthcare professionals have been instructed to stop supplying and quarantine affected batches immediately and to trace and clinically monitor all patients who may have been affected.

Sarah Moore, a specialist product liability partner at Hausfeld, commented:

While it is reassuring to see Sanofi and the MHRA taking action to recall the affected batches, it will presumably take time to trace the packs which may still be in patients’ homes.

Affected patients will doubtless be very concerned by the potentially severe effects of the toxins these unsafe packs of medicine contain, and this will only be reinforced by the reports of, to date, four patients becoming very unwell shortly after being treatment.

It is vital that the affected medication is re-collected as soon as possible, that all potentially affected patients are monitored, and that alternative treatment is provided to those who need it”.

The team looking into this claim are product liability specialists Sarah Moore and Stuart Warmington. If you have been affected by this medicine recall and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact Hausfeld for a no-obligation initial consultation at:

swarmington@hausfeld.com
020 7665 5000

OTHER NEWS