J&J Ortho-McNeil division recalls Topamax

Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Division has recalled two batches, amounting to around 57,000 bottles, of its anti-seizure drug Topamax (topiramate) due to reports of an odour thought to be caused by trace amounts of TBA (2,4,6 tribromoanisole). TBA is a byproduct of a chemical preservative sometimes applied to wood often used in the construction of pallets on which products are transported and stored. 

The company said that although all bottles in the affected batches have been recalled, it believes fewer than 6,000 bottles remain in the marketplace. J&J has said that it does not anticipate a product shortage as a result of the recall.

J&J has initiated the recall voluntarily, in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company will be carrying out investigations with its suppliers to verify that pallets treated with chemically-treated wood are not being used for the shipment of products.

Earlier this week, J&J appointed Denice Torres to lead its McNeil Consumer Healthcare division, which has recently has faced dozens of high-profile product recalls including Children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl.