Syri has been fined £51,000 and ordered to pay costs of £104,898 by Aylesbury Crown Court.
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Syri, a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Ruislip, Hillingdon, London has been fined £51,000 and ordered to pay costs of £104,898 by Aylesbury Crown Court.
Following an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regularly Agency (MHRA) and a prosecution brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the company was convicted of supplying a medicinal product which was not of the nature or quality specified in a prescription.
The investigation was prompted by a child suffering multiple seizures and their admission to hospital.  
The child was prescribed magnesium glycerophosphate to help prevent seizures. However, the medicine made by the company contained just 12% of the strength specified in the prescription, which resulted in it failing to work effectively. 
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was alerted to the issue following a report from Milton Keynes University Hospital. MHRA inspectors visited the site and found the methods used to manufacture the medicine and the checks in place to ensure appropriate standards were not met at the time the medicine was supplied.
This resulted in the medicine being manufactured with insufficient levels of the active ingredient, making it ineffective and causing the child to become seriously ill.   
The medicine was made to a specific prescription (known as a special) for the child. The company has improved their quality assurance procedures to prevent a recurrence. 
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "“Pharmaceutical companies such as Syri Ltd have a legal obligation to ensure they produce and supply medicines that work and are manufactured to the required standards.  The patient has recovered, but the consequences could have been much more serious if it hadn’t been for the swift action of hospital staff. 
“Patient safety is our top priority. The Agency will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action when serious failings that put patients at risk are identified.†■