Medicines recalled by Boots UK

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today published an updated company-led drug recall for medicines made by Boots UK. This follows a precautionary recall by the pharmacy-led retailer in November 2013 asking patients to return specific cough and cold medicines purchased since September 2013.

The retailer has now extended the scope of the original recall to include further batches and medicines, and is asking patients to return all batches of specific paracetamol, gripe mixture and cough and cold medicines.

Boots have identified a possible fault in the manufacturing process of the tamper seal that might result in small pieces of plastic being found in the liquid medicines.  

There is currently no evidence of people having problems as a result of this manufacturing fault but they are being asked to return the following medicines to Boots as a precautionary measure:

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Chesty Cough Relief 100mg/5ml Oral Solution, PL 00014/0554

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Dry Cough Relief Oral Solution, PL 00014/0550

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Mucus Cough Relief 100mg/5ml Oral Solution, PL 00014/0554

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 6 years Plus 250mg/5ml Oral Solution 200ml, PL 00014/0619

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 6 Years Plus 250mg/5ml Suspension 100ml PL 00014/0619

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Ibuprofen 3 Months plus 100mg/5ml Oral suspension Strawberry flavour, PL 00014/0652

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Tickly Cough Relief Oral Solution PL 00014/0550

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 3 Months Plus 120mg/5ml Suspension 100ml PL 00014/0638

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 3 Months Plus 120mg/5ml Suspension 200ml PL 00014/0660

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Cough Syrup 3 Months Plus PL 00014/0500

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Gripe Mixture 1 Month Plus PL 00014/5236

Boots are offering customers a refund if they return these medicines and if they have any questions they can speak to the healthcare team at their local Boots store or telephone the Boots Customer Care Team on 0800 915 0004.

Adam Burgess, the MHRA's Head of Defective Medicines Reporting Centre (DMRC), said:

"This is a precautionary recall by Boots and there is a low risk of plastic being found in bottles. There is currently no evidence that people have had any problems with these medicines.
"People should check their medicine cupboards at home and return these products to Boots. If people have any questions, they should contact Boots Customer Care Team or they can speak to their GP."

Notes to Editor

1. Company-led drug recall: Boots Pharmaceuticals (various products) - The Boots Company PLC - CLDA (13)A09.

2. Company-led drug recall: Boots Pharmaceuticals liquid medicines - The Boots Company PLC - CLDA (13)A08.

3. The MHRA is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks. We keep watch over medicines and devices, and take any necessary action to protect the public promptly if there is a problem. We encourage everyone – the public and healthcare professionals as well as the industry – to tell us about any problems with a medicine or medical device, so that we can investigate and take any necessary action. www.mhra.gov.uk