Faulty Inhalers Put Thousands of Asthma Sufferers at Risk – Check Yours NOW!
Asthma patients are being warned to check their inhalers immediately. Two popular inhaler brands have been recalled for failing to deliver the proper dose of life-saving medication.
Millions Affected by Faulty Ventolin and Seretide Inhalers
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recalled over 5,900 inhalers made by Glaxo Wellcome UK Limited. This includes more than 4,500 blue Ventolin 200mcg inhalers and 1,400 purple Seretide 50/250mcg inhalers. Experts say these faulty devices could worsen symptoms or fail during an asthma attack – a potentially deadly issue for the UK’s 5.4 million asthma sufferers.
How to Check If Your Inhaler Is Part of the Recall
These three batches are affected. Check the back of your inhaler for the lot number and expiry date. If yours matches any of these, get it replaced immediately:
- Seretide Accuhaler 50/250MCG – Lot: 5K8W, Expiry: 28/04/2019
- Ventolin Accuhaler 200MCG – Lot: 754P, Expiry: 11/05/2019
- Ventolin Accuhaler 200MCG – Lot: 786G, Expiry: 12/05/2019
If your inhaler is faulty, it might not relieve symptoms during an attack – increasing the risk of severe breathing problems. Asthma UK’s Dr Andy Whittamore said:
“It is extremely worrying that some people with asthma may have faulty inhalers and it could put people’s lives at risk.”
He adds: “Ventolin is a reliever inhaler used during symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or tight chest. If it fails, that’s a life-threatening situation.”
What To Do Next
If you have an inhaler from these batches, do not delay. Seek medical advice and return the inhaler to your pharmacist for a safe replacement. These recalls also cover inhalers from hospitals, pharmacies, and retailers across the UK.
Other inhalers, like the common Ventolin Evohaler, are NOT affected.
MHRA’s Bernadette Sinclair Jenkins stressed:
“It is important people check whether they have an affected inhaler. We want patients and their families to be confident treatment will be safe and effective.”
Remember, asthma kills three people daily in the UK. During an attack, airways tighten, causing coughing, wheezing, and severe breathlessness—some say it feels like a pillow being pressed over the face.
Pollution and smoke can make symptoms worse. If you’re unsure about your inhaler, visit your pharmacist NOW for a check. Your life could depend on it.
