Health Canada Warning - Over The Counter Drug Recall

Outline
Circulating message warns that Health Canada has advised consumers about a voluntary recall for six types of over-the-counter drugs due to possible contamination between product lines.

Brief Analysis
The information in the warning message is true. On February 8th 2011, Health Canada issued an advisory noting that a Canadian based manufacturer of over-the-counter drugs has voluntarily recalled selected lots of six health products as a precautionary measure. (More information in detailed analysis below).

Detailed analysis and references below example.

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Last updated: 14th February 2011
First published: 14th February 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

Subject: VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Over-the-counter pain meds recalled due to manufacturing concerns

A recall has been issued for a handful of Canadian-made over-the-counter drugs.
Six types of over-the-counter drugs have been taken off store shelves across the country due to "possible contamination between product lines" Health Canada announced Tuesday.

Pharmetics Inc.a pharmaceutical company based in LavalQue.voluntarily recalled the six products after a Health Canada inspection at their manufacturing plant uncovered "deficiencies" on the assembly line.

A Health Canada statement posted late Tuesday said some of the products could have been labelled with the wrong expiry dates or could have been contaminated by other drugs made at the facility. The recalled products are all labelled as the in-house brand of the store that sells them.

The affected drugs are:

- Extra Strength Acetaminophen Tablets (500 mg sold at Loblaws and Shoppers)

- AcetaminophenCaffeine & 8mg Codeine Phosphate Tablets (sold at LoblawsShoppersRexalland Procurity)

- Muscle and Back Pain Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at LoblawsRexallSafewayUniprixJean CoutuValue Drug Mart and Federated Co-op)

- Sinus Medication Night Tablets (sold at ShoppersRexall and Proxim)

- Daytime Sinus Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at ShoppersJean Coutu and Proxim)

- Allergy & Sinus Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at Shoppers and Rexall)

Health Canada said anyone who purchased the products should return them to the place of purchase.

Detailed Analysis
According to this message, which has circulated widely via email and has also been published on a large number of blogs, forums and social networks, Canadian health agency Health Canada has issued an announcement informing Canadian consumers about the voluntary recall of six over-the-counter drugs due to "possible contamination between product lines".

The information in the warning message is factual. On February 8, 2011 Health Canada issued the following statement about the recall via its website:

Pharmetics Inc. Voluntarily Recalls a Number of Products from the Canadian Market

Information Update
2011-22
February 8, 2011
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is informing Canadians that Pharmetics Inc., a manufacturer of over the counter drugs, has voluntarily recalled, as a precautionary measure, selected lots of six health products currently on the Canadian market. The recalled products are the store brands of the retailers.

Pharmetics Inc.'s recall comes as a result of Health Canada's Good Manufacturing Practices inspection at the company's Laval manufacturing site where deficiencies related to the production line were detected, including possible contamination between the product lines and some products labelled with the wrong expiry dates.

Health Canada is monitoring Pharmetics Inc.'s recall of these products and will inform Canadians and take appropriate action if new safety information arises.

Health Canada is reminding Canadians who have purchased or used any of the affected products and who have concerns about their health to speak with their health care practitioner. Pharmetics Inc. is advising their clients, including pharmacies, that consumers should return products to their place of purchase.

In order to help ensure that health products on the Canadian market are safe for use by Canadians and their families, drug establishments are inspected to determine whether they are operating in compliance with Health Canada's regulations and guidelines.

Good Manufacturing Practices are standards designed to ensure an effective overall approach to product quality control and risk management by setting appropriate standards and practices for product manufacturing, testing, storage, handling and distribution.

Consumers requiring more information about this information update can contact Health Canada's public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Canadian news outlet The Globe and Mail confirms the information in the advisory, noting in a February 8th 2011 article:

A manufacturer of over-the-counter drugs has voluntarily recalled six products, including acetaminophen, sinus-relief medication and back-pain tablets sold in drug stores and supermarkets.

Health Canada issued an advisory Tuesday after an inspection of Pharmetics Inc.’s Laval manufacturing plant revealed “deficiencies” in the production line, “including possible contamination between the product lines and some products labelled with the wrong expiry dates.”

For a detailed list of the recalled products, refer to the Health Canada statement.

References
Pharmetics Inc. Voluntarily Recalls a Number of Products from the Canadian Market
Over-the-counter painkillers pulled in voluntary drug recall

Last updated: 14th February 2011
First published: 14th February 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer