The Johnson & Johnson company, manufacturer of Tylenol and many other similar medications, has come under pressure recently due to quality control problems at one of their plants. The drug maker voluntarily recalled certain lots of children’s liquid Tylenol and Motrin this month.
The plant under scrutiny is in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and had been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately investigate and correct various deficiencies in its manufacturing and drugs. The FDA report cited the use of raw materials with known bacterial contamination to make infants’ and children’s liquid Tylenol. Samples of finished products tested negative for bacteria, however, and the risk to consumers was remote, agency officials said.
The company has temporarily stopped production at the Fort Washington plant and has recalled a wide range of certain lots of liquid infant’s and children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec. Some of these over-the-counter medicines may contain more of the active ingredient than is specified on the product label or contain tiny metal particles or inactive ingredients that do not meet testing standards. Although the possibility of health problems may be remote, people should stop using the products, the company said.
A full list of the products can be found on the company’s Web site. Consumers can also call the recall hot line at 888-222-6036 for more information about a refund or coupon to replace the recalled products.