Roche, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the national regulatory authority in Australia, is recalling all batches of Valium 5-mg tablets supplied in blister packs of 50 tablets due to the discovery of evidence of medicine tampering.

Valium 5-mg tablets contain diazepam, which is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and muscle spasms.

It has been identified that blister pack sheets containing other medicines have been substituted into some packs of Valium 5-mg tablets. These medicines may include (but may not be limited to) BTC paracetamol codeine tablets, BTC rosuvastatin 10-mg tablets, Apotex-pantoprazole 40-mg and 20-mg tablets, and Stemetil (prochlorperazine) 5-mg tablets.

If a patient has an affected pack, there is a risk that they will not have adequate supply of the medicine and could take the incorrect medicine, which could have serious health consequences, according to the TGA.

The issue is currently being investigated in conjunction with the relevant authorities. However, it is believed that the tampering is not widespread,according to the TGA.

Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration