Swiss drugmaker
Roche Holding AG released a statement on Wednesday
explaining that its recall of the anti-HIV drug Viracept is
intended for Europe and several other regions but not
the United States, Canada, and Japan, reported
Reuters.
The recall, due
to contamination of the drug by a potentially harmful
chemical during the manufacturing process, will cover all
types of Viracept powder and tablets in affected
countries.
"Roche has
received several reports that some batches of Viracept 250
mg tablets have a strange odor," the company said in
the statement, according to Reuters.
"A detailed
chemical analysis of the affected tablets showed they
contain higher than normal levels of methane sulfonic acid
ethylester. In the interest of patients' safety Roche
has decided to recall all batches of Viracept tablets
and powder." (The Advocate)