Tylenol Recall 2010

According to the McNeil Consumer Healthcare website, 21 over the counter (OTC) medications have been recalled on July 8, 2010.http://mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc This recalled lot includes Tylenol Extra Strength and Tylenol PM products.http://mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc They state that the product recall is related to the bad odor recall issued on January 15, 2010. McNeil claims that this is just a precautionary step and that medical harm is not likely.http://mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc A full list of lot numbers can be found on the McNeil Consumer Healthcare website.http://mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc

Tylenol once again expanded its already massive recall to include a lot of Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release Gel Caps (lot number ASA202) in June of 2010. The expanded recall also included four lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab tablets. The most recent recall is directly related to prior recalls which stemmed from complaints of a "musty odor" in the bottle's containers. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/tylenol-problems-affected-extra-strength-benadryl/story?id=10930568

On April 30, 2010, McNeil Consumer Healthcare voluntarily recalled 43 varieties of over-the-counter children's medications including Motrin, Tylenol, Zyrtec and Benadryl. The company's press release stated: "McNeil Consumer Healthcare is initiating this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.."http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/new_recall.inc

In January, 2010, the makers of Tylenol expanded a prior recall of Tylenol Arthritis, and also recalled product lots of Tylenol geltabs, caplets, rapid release and extended release. In addition, Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare recalled product lots of Motrin IB, Benadryl tablets, St. Joseph aspirin and chewable Rolaids. The recall was related to a mildewy smell in the pills that led to illness, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9570475

The latest recalls come on the heels of the recall of Tylenol Arthritis in late 2009. The odd smell stems from a chemical, 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, that is used to treat the wood pallets that are used during the manufacturing of the over-the-counter medications.http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9570475 http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/01/15/tylenol-recall-whats-that-smell/

After this long series of recalls, in late July, 2010, a federal grand jury has subpoenaed Johnson & Johnson and the makers of Tylenol insist they're cooperating fully. It is not known what the subpoena is specifically regarding.http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2010/07/19/daily42.html

Just before the January 2010 recall of Tylenol products, the FDA reported that Tylenol failed to fully investigate reports of a 'musty odor' coming from their pills, as far back as 2008. According to the Wall Street Journal, the FDA said that Johnson & Johnson only checked to see if the smell was related to "microorganisms and concluded that it didn't."http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100113-714144.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines According to the FDA's report, McNeil Healthcare received complaints of an "uncharacteristic smell" as early as 2008 but didn't detect that there was a chemical contamination until August of 2009.http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100113-714144.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

Concerned customers of Children's and Infant's Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Zyrtec, (as well as Rolaids, Simply Sleep and St. Joseph's aspirin) can find a full list of all the recalled products on McNeilProductRecall.com. McNeil Healthcare will provide information on how to get a replacement for the affect product or a refund. The website was setup after the major recall in January 2010. The McNeil Consumer Care Center can be reached at 888-222-6036.http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/tylenol-problems-affected-extra-strength-rolaids/story?id=9561842

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