Urgent warning about fake oxygen supplied to dentists as health chiefs launch criminal investigation
- Evidence that the oxygen supplied by Tricodent Limited was ‘adulterated’
- However, the regulator warned that the risk to patient safety remains ‘low’
Dentists across Britain have been given ‘counterfeit’ oxygen supplies, it was revealed today.
‘Several’ practices have been told to immediately stop using a batch of tanks and replace them with ‘legitimate stock’.
Tricodent Limited, the Sussex-based company that supplied the oxygen, is now under criminal investigation, health watchdogs said today.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which oversees the safety of medicines used in Britain, has not said how the oxygen was adulterated.
Oxygen – supplied in cylinders – is one of the most commonly used medicines in hospitals and dental facilities.
Medical regulators have withdrawn the product from the UK market and launched a criminal investigation into the company supplying the stock. Evidence was found that the medical oxygen supplied by Tricodent Limited was ‘counterfeit’. In the photo the offending oxygen batches, with the inscription ‘Medical Oxygen BP PL No 04280/0001 MEDIGAS OXYGEN’
Medical oxygen cylinders contain pure compressed oxygen – unlike what we breathe – with no other types of gases allowed to avoid contamination.
While potentially life-saving, it can cause serious harm if administered and managed incorrectly.
MHRA bosses, who announced the recall, stated that the risk to public health and patient safety was “low.”
The alert urged affected practices to check their oxygen cylinders.
If they are labeled “Medical Oxygen BP PL No 04280/0001 MEDIGAS OXYGEN,” they should be immediately replaced with legitimate stock, the MHRA said.
Any remaining stock should be quarantined, the agency added.
However, the MHRA has not confirmed the number or locations of affected practices.
“It is vital that you check that your practice suppliers are authorized and recognized by the MHRA,” the watchdog told the practices.
“Your supplier must have a Wholesale Dealer’s Authority, which is provided by the MHRA.”
Patients do not have to do anything else because the product is only administered directly by healthcare professionals.
However, everyone is urged to report any side effects or side effects of medicines they notice to the Yellow Card Scheme.
The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends that dental practices should have immediate access to oxygen, oxygen tubing and non-rebreather oxygen masks in the event that high-flow oxygen is required in an emergency.
Often used in combination with inhaled nitrous oxide as a safe means of managing pain and anxiety, emergency oxygen during surgery is vital when patients have acute asthma attack or onenaphylaxis.
Emergency oxygen is also required during seizures or CPR.