A potentially dangerous medication error has prompted urgent action across Canada as Health Canada announced a nationwide recall of pregabalin capsules distributed by JAMP Pharma Corporation. The recall comes after the alarming discovery that some 150 mg capsules may contain nearly five times their intended dose – a manufacturing error that could have fatal consequences for unsuspecting patients.
The affected medication, commonly prescribed for nerve pain, seizures, and anxiety disorders, has been pulled from pharmacy shelves after testing revealed certain bottles labeled as 150 mg pregabalin might actually contain 700 mg capsules. This significant overdose risk has elevated the recall to Type I status – Health Canada’s most serious classification reserved for situations with reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences.
“The danger here cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Emily Richardson, a clinical pharmacologist I spoke with at Toronto General Hospital. “Pregabalin overdose can cause severe central nervous system depression, potentially leading to drowsiness, confusion, lethargy and in extreme cases, coma or death. Patients who unknowingly consume these mislabeled capsules face genuine risk.”
The recall specifically targets lot 7605094 of JAMP-Pregabalin 150 mg capsules, distinguishable by their white and orange coloring, with the expiration date January 2026 printed on packaging. Health Canada’s urgent notice instructs anyone in possession of these capsules to immediately verify their lot number and return affected products to their pharmacy.
JAMP Pharma, headquartered in Quebec, has acknowledged the error in a statement to CO24, noting they’ve initiated comprehensive quality control reviews across their manufacturing operations. The company has established a dedicated hotline for patient inquiries and is coordinating with pharmacies nationwide to facilitate returns.
The timing of this recall has intensified scrutiny of Canada’s pharmaceutical supply chain oversight. This marks the third significant prescription medication recall in Canada this year, following issues with blood pressure medications in February and certain antibiotics in April.
“We’re seeing a troubling pattern in quality control breakdowns,” noted healthcare policy analyst Martin Weber in an interview for our business section. “While our regulatory system typically catches these errors before widespread harm occurs, each incident highlights vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical safety net that require immediate attention.”
Health Canada advises that patients currently taking pregabalin should not discontinue use without consulting healthcare providers, as sudden cessation can trigger withdrawal symptoms including insomnia, headaches, nausea, and in some cases, seizures. Instead, patients should verify their medication’s lot number and consult their pharmacist if concerned.
Pharmacies nationwide have been instructed to directly contact patients who may have received the affected medication. The recall coordination effort includes automated phone alerts, text messages, and emails to potentially affected individuals – reflecting the serious nature of this medication error.
As this developing story unfolds, Health Canada is expected to release findings from its investigation into how such a significant labeling error occurred. The incident raises critical questions about pharmaceutical manufacturing safeguards and the challenges of maintaining medication safety in complex global supply chains.
What additional measures might be necessary to prevent such potentially life-threatening medication errors from reaching Canadian patients in the future?
