14 hours ago
Urgent paracetamol recall over contamination fears as people urged to check packets
A class 2 recall has been issued for the following two batches of 500mg tablets.
Certain batches of over-the-counter paracetamol are being withdrawn from shelves. The move was made following reports they have been contaminated.
Chelonia Healthcare Limited has issued a class 2 recall for two batches of its 500mg tablets (100 pots) after healthcare professionals issued complaints of them containing discoloured tablets.
A notice posted to the website Monday, June 9, explains that the incident so far has only affected the batch number 2312010, with the best before date of April 14, 2025.
However, as a "precautionary measure", the pharmaceutical firm has also issued a recall for an additional batch code 2312011, best before date May 15, 2025.
The additional batch code has been included in the recall "to mitigate any risk, as the investigation and analysis remain ongoing."
Healthcare professionals have since been urged to stop supplying the affected batches immediately, with remaining stock to be quarantined and returned to the supplier following the approved process.
Patients and carers are being urged to check if they have been prescribed the 500mg paracetamol tablets, which can only be prescribed through a pharmacy.
To double check, the batch codes can be found on the label of the medicine bottle and on the outer carton.
It is worth noting that the amount of tablets prescribed depends on the prescription provided by a healthcare professional, so some may have less than the affected 100 pots.
As per the patient information leaflet (PIL), the tablets will be 'white capsule-shaped tablets, scored on one side.'
If a patient or carer notices that the tablets from the affected batch codes have been discoloured in any way, they are being advised to contact their pharmacist or healthcare professional who dispensed the prescription.
Anyone who experiences an adverse reaction after taking the tablets are being urged to seek medical attention, with symptoms being reported to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
