The National Medical Stores (NMS) has suspended a commonly administered drug, calcium gluconate used to treat heart related diseases over safety concerns, raising fears about risks to patients.
The recall, announced in a directive signed by NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare, comes shortly after 12,000 bottles of the drug had been distributed to health facilities across the country.
“Collect data on all stock and return all stock to NMS when drivers deliver to your facility. The remaining stock should reach NMS by December 14, 2025, or send feedback on the status,” the directive reads.
Calcium Gluconate Injection 10% W/V (Batch KBU24001), was manufactured by Indian firm Farbe Firma Pvt. Ltd. and supplied through Crux Pharma (U) Ltd.
While health workers were instructed to stop administering the drug immediately, the recall is expected to significantly impact health facilities and patients across the country.
Calcium gluconate is widely used in emergency medicine to treat cardiac arrest, heart-related toxicity, and hypocalcaemia, a condition marked by dangerously low calcium levels in the blood. Severe hypocalcaemia can trigger seizures, muscle cramps, confusion, or even heart failure.
The suspension follows an August 14 alert from the National Drug Authority (NDA), which warned health facilities of possible risks linked to the contaminated drug and advised a nationwide recall to prevent adverse effects.
While NDA did not disclose specific reasons for the recall, NMS noted that such measures are part of routine safety procedures that may arise from issues such as loss of potency, mislabeling, or incorrect dosage strength.
