St. Louis Pharmaceutical Blog

Over the counter medications are often considered by the public to be safer than prescription medications, given the ease with which they can be obtained. However, the potential danger is just as high if there is a problem with the medication. Drug recalls of over the counter medication should be heeded just as closely as recalls or warnings provided for prescription pharmaceuticals.

The leading pharmaceutical maker, Johnson & Johnson, recently agreed to pay a $22.9 million settlement relating to a lawsuit involving drug recalls for major over the counter children’s medications. In a two year period, J&J recalled more than 40 different commonly administered medications such as Motrin or Tylenol. In the same time period, problems at four different Johnson & Johnson factories led to one factory being closed for an overhaul and the other three factories being put under greater government oversight.

Over the counter medications are often considered by the public to be safer than prescription medications, given the ease with which they can be obtained. However, the potential danger is just as high if there is a problem with the medication. Drug recalls of over the counter medication should be heeded just as closely as recalls or warnings provided for prescription pharmaceuticals.
The leading pharmaceutical maker, Johnson & Johnson, recently agreed to pay a $22.9 million settlement relating to a lawsuit involving drug recalls for major over the counter children’s medications. In a two year period, J&J recalled more than 40 different commonly administered medications such as Motrin or Tylenol. In the same time period, problems at four different Johnson & Johnson factories led to one factory being closed for an overhaul and the other three factories being put under greater government oversight.

Consumers look to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for vigiliance and protection against harmful drugs every day. Without proper oversight, a drug injury or even wrongful death can occur all too easily. The watchful eye of the FDA investigates over the counter medication, prescription medication and vaccinations and, when appropriate, recalls are issued in order to ensure public safety.
Recently, the FDA informed the public via a post on its website of a voluntary recall of an injectible hepatitis B vaccine. Subsequently, the pharmaceutical manufacturer recalled a batch of just over 27,000 vials of the vaccine that had been made at one of its plants. The drug maker, Merck & Co., pulled the vials due to an issue related to the glass used in the vials that made them susceptible to cracking. A potential crack in the glass could lead to contamination of the contents.

Consumer drug safety is of the utmost importance. The public should be able to purchase and use medications without concern of a resulting drug injury or even wrongful death. When administering medicine to a child or a baby, parents especially want to know their child is safe. The FDA carefully monitors all drugs for this purpose and it is with the public’s safety in mind that they will at times issue a drug recall or impose other actions.
A recent discovery by a pharmacist has led to a recall of common baby aspirin across the country. A bottle of medication that was supposed to have 81 mg tablets of aspirin instead was found to contain 500 mg pills of acetaminophen. The manufacturer of the baby aspirin, Advance Pharmaceutical has issued their own voluntary recall of more than 16,000 bottles of the aspirin product.
The side effects of taking too much acetaminophen can range from person to person but an overdose of the medication can result in death.

The diet or weight loss industry has been a strong one for decades and includes the manufacture and sale of many supplements that are said to aid weight loss. The delineation of these supplements as “natural” or “herb-based” and more are all different ways that the industry tries to promote their products as safe for consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors these products to ensure consumer safety.
Recently, one such herbal weight loss supplement was recalled by the manufacturer after the FDA identified that it contained two different controlled substances. The FDA indicated that Bethel 30 was found to have both Sibutramin and Phenolphthalein and that they consider both to be unsafe. This drug recall is yet another in a line of many such recalls of weight loss drugs that have taken place over the years.
When drug developers and manufacturers use substances potentially harmful to the public, it is good to know that the FDA takes action.