Windsor Cancer Patients Received Lower Than Intended Chemotherapy Doses

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Windsor Regional Hospital is one of four Ontario hospitals who are currently informing patients that they received lower than intended doses of cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine.

Cancer Care Ontario says that because each case is patient-specific, affected patients are being encouraged to discuss the possible effects of the under-dosing with their oncologists.

These two medications were purchased by the hospitals from a supplier who produces and labels these medications. Cancer Care Ontario and the affected hospitals are working closely with the supplier in order to find out the cause of the error.

In Windsor, this has effected 290 patients since February 24th, 2012.

The other three hospitals are London Health Sciences Centre, Lakeridge Health and Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Upon discovery of the problem in late March 2013, officials say that all four hospitals immediately removed all cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine received from the drug manufacturer and informed the manufacturer of the error. Each hospital has secured appropriate supplies of the medications for all subsequent treatments. Patients’ treatment cycles will not be interrupted during this transition.

All four hospitals are working in partnership with Cancer Care Ontario to immediately notify all affected past and current patients or their families during the week of April 1st.

In addition to reaching out to affected patients or their families, each hospital has put in place measures to provide patients and family members with additional information and support, including a dedicated patient line, after-hours clinics staffed by healthcare providers and the opportunity to schedule an appointment with an oncologist to discuss any questions.

Windsor Regional Hospital has set up a patient line to support patients and their families, and to respond to questions they may have.  The number is 519-255-8698.