Chinese Recall of Methotrexate
Updated July, 2007: Methotrexate, a drug used to treat acute leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis, has been recalled by China’s food and drug administration. The drug, manufactured by Shanghai Hualian Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., has been suspended because it caused adverse reactions in many child leukemia patients in hospitals in Shaghai and Guagxi.
The children reported either feeling pain in their legs or having difficulty walking after they were injected with methotrexate. China’s drug watchdog ordered the Shaghai and Guagxi food and drug administration to re-evaluate the risks of the drug.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been 12,502 reports of adverse reactions from the drug across the world.
This recall is probably a response to international criticism of Chinese exports, for failing to stop toxic products from leaving their country. Chinese regulators have begun demanding stricter food and medicine standards.