Documents reveal that Alberta's procurement of five million bottles of children's acetaminophen from Atabay Pharmaceuticals in Turkey led to potential health risks for neonatal patients. The imported medication, thicker than standard products, caused clogs in feeding tubes, potentially increasing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening intestinal inflammation. The deal, criticized for being ineffective and costly, saw only 13,700 bottles distributed despite millions paid upfront.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced in December, 2022, that the province had procured five million bottles of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen from Istanbul-based Atabay Pharmaceuticals .
”The volume/osmolality issues from the Atabay acetaminophen was determined to possibly increase the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in these tiny patients.” Mr. Van Dyne, in his October e-mail, said nurses identified the clogs were in both gastric and nasal-gastric tubes, used when patients can’t take medications orally, and that increased volumes of water to flush these tubes was “not ideal.” He also stated that taste was a concern for the pediatric population because the Atabay medications were more bitter compared with North American products. Children had difficulty swallowing, not only because of taste but higher dosage requirements, he said.
There were also issues with pharmacy-bound Atabay products. Alberta Blue Cross, in March, alerted pharmacists that the Turkish medications had a lower dosage concentration and had to be kept behind the counter so that customers are informed on how to use it safely. The provincial government has said it is working with the Turkish manufacturer to “explore options” to fulfill the remainder of the contract, but has repeatedly declined to provide additional details. However, in the e-mail from Mr. Van Dyne to Ms. Williams, he said they are hoping to fulfill the remainder of the contract – equivalent to $49.4-million – through the purchase of intravenous, or IV, acetaminophen.
Alberta Health Acetaminophen Ibuprofen Atabay Pharmaceuticals Turkey Necrotizing Enterocolitis Neonatal Patients Medication Shortages
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