UCB partially recalls Parkinson's drug Neupro

BRUSSELS, March 20 (Reuters) - Belgian pharmaceutical group UCB (UCB.BR) said on Thursday it had begun recalling batches of its Parkinson's drug Neupro in the United States and some from Europe.

"Depending on the resolution timeline of this issue, the full effect on UCB's business is not yet known. Therefore, UCB's 2008 financial outlook is under review and will be updated as soon as possible," the company said in a statement.

UCB said the recall decision was not the result of contamination or toxicity but said the clinical performance of some product on the market was not as required.

"As a result, there will be an out-of-stock situation with Neupro in the United States in late April 2008. In the European Union and most other regions Neupro supply is sufficient," it continued.

Neupro, delivered to patients in the form of patches stuck on the skin, is approved to treat early stage Parkinson's disease in the United States and early and late stages of the disease in Europe.

The patches, which are also designed to treat restless legs syndrome, were launched in the United States in July 2007. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, editing by Will Waterman)