Tylenol recall prompts investigation

A US House Committee is looking at Johnson & Johnson after the company announced a recall of several over-the-counter (OTC) paediatric children's medicines manufactured in the US, including Tylenol (paracetamol).

US lawmakers requested information on Thursday from regulators about Johnson & Johnson's recall of Tylenol and other over-the-counter paediatric medicines, saying the company's repeated recalls "point to a major problem with production".

In a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report issued on Tuesday May 4, inspectors said they found thick dust, grime and contaminated ingredients at the plant that produces children's Tylenol and dozens of other products recalled last week.

The McNeil Consumer Healthcare plant in Fort Washington, which manufactured the recalled drugs, has been on a stepped up inspection schedule by federal regulators since 2008. This is the third voluntary recall of products within the Tylenol porfolio this year.

Information on McNeil's website for Tylenol states that: "Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use."