Do you have Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec or Benadryl, amongst the children's medicines used in your home? Well, you need to check them because those over the counter drugs are part of a massive recall of a total of 40 different types of children's medicine made by Johnson & Johnson McNeil Consumer Healthcare Company.
The recall is specifically on the infant and children's liquid products. Some of them may contain a higher than required concentration of the active ingredient. Some may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet required standards. And some may contain tiny particles in them that should not be present. Chief Pharmacist, Sharon Anderson, told us what you need to look out for.
Jules Vasquez
"All of us have children who take these. My children only take Zyrtec and Motrin and the Tylenol."
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"Johnson and Johnson brand."
Jules Vasquez
"Right, should I throw these out?"
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"Yes, it's recommended from what we have been informed. It is advisable that you discard them. You don't use them."
Jules Vasquez
"All of them? Or should I look at the batch number?"
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
'You need to look at the batch number. Because there is a list at the website www.mcneilproductrecall.com. They have a listing that would list out the whole 40 products to which this affects, and the batch number and its speaks to the various presentation of Tylenol Syrup especially the drops. Because that is the concentrated form. We do have a few of those products here in Belize. Because when we did the re-call there were products and there are still maybe some. So today, our drug inspector along with the public health personnel went out to visit the major importers of these substances and it's not something you could do in one day. So it will continue over the next week or so until they have been able to identify all those products on the market.'
"But as a consumer you are being notified through this medium to ensure that you are aware and that you do not use these products. Because even though they consider it a voluntary re-call and they have said that there is no real adverse reaction to it, we all know that medicine has the potential for adverse reaction anyhow, and you wouldn't want to take the risk of you developing an adverse reaction that is fatal… Then it's advisable not to take it."
Jules Vasquez
"You might be reluctant to throw it away because you can't afford to buy another one right away."
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"Well I know from the information that is posted on the web, they do have a location there for you to take it back to the pharmacy, and I believe the pharmacy will have to contact the supplier for their refund if possible."
Jules Vasquez
"So but even in Belize you can take it back?"
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"I would recommend if you know where you bought it to take it back."
The Pharmacist's and the Public Health Office today went out and conducted a review of all major wholesalers where 13 of the 40 different types were found. Since these are the main importers for these products, not much more is expected to be found on the local market. A full list with the batch numbers can be found on the Johnson and Johnson website and you can find a link to that at 7newsbelize.com.
If you have any concerns or you want to know if the product you are presently giving your child can be used, please contact your health care provider.
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