Novartis Recalls Bottles Of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin And Gas-X

BASEL, Switzerland -- Novartis is recalling some bottles of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X Sunday over concerns that the bottles could contain stray pills from other medicines, or chipped or broken tablets.

The news follows Novartis' recent decision to temporarily suspend production at its Lincoln, Neb., plant for "maintenance and other improvement activities."

The Swiss drug maker said it implemented the recall, which affects U.S. retailers, voluntarily and is working with the Food and Drug Administration during the process. It became aware of the potential problem during an internal review that identified broken and chipped pills, and inconsistent bottle packaging that could cause pills to be mixed up. The company said it wanted to make sure that customers didn't take any pills that they might be allergic to or that might become dangerous when mixed with their other medications, though it also said that there have been no such reports from consumers.

Novartis said that some of the bottles of headache medicine Excedrin and caffeine caplets NoDoz with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014, or earlier will be subject to the recall. Some of the packages of pain medicine Bufferin and stomach medicine Gas-X with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013,or earlier will also be affected.

Comments

[montanason]

10:14 PM on 01/09/2012

This is getting out of control-better strike down what regulations exist-
in the interim the government has issued a statement saying no more
headaches or beans for the populace until further notice.

[kiksadi50]

01:15 PM on 01/09/2012

And the GOP wants to abolish Gov.oversight & agency's like the FDA. Left to their own devices pharmaceutical co.will abandon safety for profit.

[Oneandoneandone]

12:46 PM on 01/09/2012

"the bottles could contain stray pills from other medicines"

I nominate this for SCARIEST SENTENCE OF THE DAY

[Rebecca Pizano]

11:17 AM on 02/08/2012

Oh it's not that scary. If you see a different-looking pill, throw it out. "One of these things is not like the other."

[Post31]

10:57 AM on 01/09/2012

Recalled medication tastes the best

[Lawrence Oherlabia]

10:46 AM on 01/09/2012

From pharmalot.com:

The drugmaker also failed to extend investigations into all batches of products potentially affected by any problem. One example was a mix-up involving Execedrin Migraine Tablets and Excedrin Migraine Caplets. The drugmaker did examine the incident, but the FDA maintained its conclusion that the mix-up was not within its control was not plausible, because the meds were all packaged on the same line.
As we reported last week, the FDA also found numerous instances in which Novartis failed to file so-called field alerts within three days of being notified of any problems. And the FDA determined that the failure was indicative of a pattern. Meanwhile, quality assurance was slow to review complaints - 138 reports took more than 100 days to review, according to the 13-page FDA 483 report (read it here).
And last year, the drugmaker received 223 critical complaints and the FDA determined that none of them were reviewed properly. At one point, the FDA report uses a lot of bold letters to make put Novartis on notice by using bold letters and caps to emphasize its concerns - THIS OBSERVATION DEMONSTRATES A PATTERN OF PROBLEMS AT YOUR FIRM.

[Conk]

10:46 AM on 01/09/2012

The world will be safe for those seeking good health when the whole drug industry is recalled. Most over the counter drugs don't work as claimed and neither do the prescription ones. The biggest scam in medicine! God bless Mother Nature. In her infinite wisdom she provides all remedies and cures! Stop using chemical drugs! They are killing you.

[April22]

10:16 AM on 01/09/2012

So much more important new goes unreported!

In 2009, the FDA approved the use of a drug made from genetically altered goats.

The goats come from embryos which have been injected with a human gene, no less, and then placed into a surrogate ewe.

The technique of growing genetically altered animals and genetically crossing two species for pharmaceutical purposes is called "pharming!"

We have become little more than human guinea pigs for the FDA and the UDSA, because there's big money in patenting seeds and in parmaceuticals!

http://www.naturalnews.com/025785_drug_goats_FDA.html

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/drugsfromgoats/

[Labor Party]

09:51 AM on 01/09/2012

Anyone have trouble sleeping after taking Excedrin? Already has caffeine in it.

Novartis obviously needs heavier regulation.

[notsayingnuffen]

10:04 AM on 01/09/2012

Most painrelievers have caffeine in them and helps in the digestive process.

[April22]

10:19 AM on 01/09/2012

And the FDA doesn't!

How about the use of genetically altered animals, goats in this case, injected with a human gene in the makeing of an anti-cloting drug in the US?

US FDA approved in 2009!

[Labor Party]

10:23 AM on 01/09/2012

The FDA is owned by the businesses it regulates

[DrMatt]

09:48 AM on 01/09/2012

Don't worry! Free Markets and self-regulation will take care of everything!

/sarcasm

[Labor Party]

10:01 AM on 01/09/2012

Yeah...............when people die and quit buying their products they claim that the free market is correcting itself.

[kcineinnoc]

09:46 AM on 01/09/2012

WHY IS THIS HIDDEN NEWS ?????????????

[Proletarian101]

10:29 AM on 01/09/2012

It isn't hidden news. Novartis did a press release. Also, the news is slowly coming out in the mainstream press but, unfortunately, because it didn't involve death, explosions, sex scandals or celebrities, the press didn't care enough to make it the headline it deserves.

[melanielpc]

09:39 AM on 01/09/2012

in protest I am gonna find a crowded elevator in the finiancial district and let it rip.

[notsayingnuffen]

10:05 AM on 01/09/2012

What one has to do that in protest?

My my...I've been wrong all these years.

[readyinga]

10:44 AM on 01/09/2012

LOL...Thats just wrong.........Good way to relieve tension though..

[skeptic3]

09:36 AM on 01/09/2012

The dangers of drug use will never go away.
Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X are drugs.

[mscellanus]

12:02 PM on 01/09/2012

In the last few years we have been hearing about all of these "wonder" drugs and how great they are but in the end they mess up your heart and other vital organs like kidneys, liver, etc., etc. Unless the person is at risk and really needs to take them, I say work around your ailment with natural foods and holistic means. I believe the worse problem is that people want an instant cure for their ailment instead of trying more natural ways of healing. For example: If you have Acidity problems, just eat an apple and the pepcid in it will take away the acidity.

[SDK13]

09:28 AM on 01/09/2012

Corporations are people to.

You may think this is bad but wait until the Tea Party Clowns get rid of regulations, Might be a little hard to breathe that polluted air.

You can also forget going to the doctor, they do not want you to have Health care.

[Labor Party]

09:57 AM on 01/09/2012

Unless you are tested by the GOPee!

[plebian43]

10:55 AM on 01/09/2012

I don't know if this comment will be moderated out of existence, but you do realize that the Republicrats and Democans are all part of the same corporate party and owned by the same cabal. The Kwisatz Haderach's Food Czar is a former VP and Chief Lobbyist for Monsanto, one Dr. Michael Taylor.

[jlplummer1]

10:09 AM on 01/09/2012

How many agencies are there that perform the same function? all at taxpayer expense. all created by "bigger Govt." of the democrats

[phdpamela]

09:19 AM on 01/09/2012

Let's hope that those that don't see the recall, are smart enough to LOOK at the pills, before they take them, or give them to someone else, notice change in size and/or color.

[Dakotadude]

08:57 AM on 01/09/2012

NO GAS-X!? What will America do?

[bartonlyle]

09:03 AM on 01/09/2012

We'll just have to f___t green!

[mscellanus]

12:04 PM on 01/09/2012

bartonlyle...LMAO!