On March 20, 2008, UCB recalled Neupro, its Parkinson’s drug, in the United States and some batches from Europe after finding clinical performance of market samples did not meet necessary requirements. UCB’s actions concerning Neupro are not the result of contamination or toxicity.

Due to the recall, UCB has predicted a Neupro shortage in the United States by late April, and the company did not announce how long the shortage will last or provide any further outlook for 2008.

Neupro is a Parkinson’s drug delivered via patches on the skin. It is approved to treat early-stage Parkinson’s disease in the United States, and to treat early and late stages of the disease in Europe.

Source: Philip Blenkinsop, “UCB recalls Parkinson’s patch, reviews 2008 outlook,” Reuters, March 20, 2008 (http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSL2015704120080320?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews).