Medicine mix up leads to major drug recall

(CNS): Drugmaker Novartis has recalled a range of over-the-counter medicines as a result of issues at one of its factories that could have resulted in products being mixed up. Hurley’s, Fosters and Kirk supermarkets have confirmed that they have removed several of the firm’s medicines from their shelves as a result of the recall. Novartis Consumer Health has recalled all lots of bottled Excedrin and NoDoz as well as some Bufferin and Gas-X products because the firm said the products may contain stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis drugs or contain broken or chipped tablets.

Foster's Food said it had also proactively pulled all the affected Rolaids products from its shelves too. It said that until it has a further correspondence from the manufacture the products will no longer be available to its stores.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, however the safety of our customers is our top priority. We encourage all customers who have purchased this product to return the affected product to their Foster’s Food Fair IGA of purchase for a full refund,” a spokesperson for the supermarket said.

Hurley’s also urged all of its customers that have bought any of the affected medications to either disposed of or return them to the store “with proof of purchase for refund or replacement.”

The drug firm said it has voluntarily suspended operations at the Nebraska factory as well as shipments of the drugs to accelerate maintenance and other improvements at the affected site.

The mixing of different products in the same bottle could result in people taking the wrong medicine or a higher or lower strength than intended, NHC said, which could potentially result in overdose, interaction with other medications a consumer may be taking or an allergic reaction if the consumer is allergic to the unintended ingredient. However the drug company said it was not aware of any adverse events in connection with issues relating to the recalled medicines.

Go to Norvatis site for full details of the recalled products