Perrigo recalls Pills contaminated with Metal

11 million bottles of Acetaminophen have been recalled by Perrigo Co., a major manufacturer of the pain-relieving pills after a metal fragment contamination was discovered in some bottles, during quality-control checks.

The recall involves bottles containing various amounts of the 500-milligram capsules. No reports of injuries or illness have been reported in association to the consumption of the pain relievers.

Perrigo Co. said that the metal bits were exposed in a quality-check. 70 million pills were passed through a metal detector and about 200 were found to be contaminated with metal fragments that ranged in size from microdots to portions of wire one-third of an inch long.

The Allegan, Michigan-based manufacturer of nonprescription drugs did not disclose which chains it supplies with store-brand Acetaminophen. A list of batch numbers and store brands affected by the recall was forthcoming.

However, according to company Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Perrigo supplies health-care products to retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., CVS Corp., Walgreen Co. and Costco Wholesale Corp.

383 batches were affected with the pills that contained raw material purchased from a third-party supplier, said Perrigo.

The Food and Drug Administration said that the recall is unlikely to cause a shortage of Acetaminophen which is sold under the Tylenol brand, but is widely available in generic versions. Tylenol will not be affected by the recall.

According to the FDA, as the recall covers products that might cause a temporary health problem or pose a slight threat of a serious nature, it is being considered a Class II recall.

Although it poses hardly any risk of serious injury, minor stomach discomfort or possible cuts to the mouth and throat could be reported by customers who swallow any of the contaminated pills. Doctor should be contacted in case anyone feels that he has been injured. Consumers with more questions can call Perrigo toll free at (877) 546-0454.