Valium recalled after drug maker Roche discovers evidence of tampering

Valium's manufacturer, Roche, this week issued a recall note for all batches of Valium five-milligram tablets that had been supplied in blister packs of 50 tablets. Other batches are not affected.

The company says some of the packs may contain medications other than Valium. The issue has been referred to NSW Police who have launched an investigation.

"If a patient has an affected pack, there is a risk that they will not have adequate supply of their medicine and could take the incorrect medicine, which could have serious health consequences," the Therapeutic Goods Administration said in a statement.

Valium - the brand-name version of diazepam - is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and muscle spasms. Approximately 30,000 packs are distributed every month, Roche estimates.

Fairfax Media has learned investigators suspect a single employee somewhere within the supply chain had been stealing the medicine for some time and swapping in other medications to disguise the crime.

Authorities do not believe many packets are affected, but are recalling them all as a precaution, it is understood.

"Roche is confident that tampering occurred after the Valium stock was shipped from the Roche warehouse in Australia," a spokesman for the company said.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the theft of a quantity of Valium "over a period of time" at a business premises in Rydalmere, NSW.

"The alleged theft was reported to police on Friday, May 26, 2017," a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

"No person has been charged in relation to the matter."

The TGA is advising anyone with the tablets to immediately take them to their pharmacist, where a refund and alternate medicine can be arranged.