Paracetamol batches recalled after fungal contamination

M&A Pharmachem, a UK-based producer of complex molecules and OTC products, is recalling two batches of paracetamol 500mg tablets, each containing 12 pots of 1,000 tablets.

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stated that only a ‘small number’ of pots from each batch had been found to be contaminated.

Inspections of the affected tablets revealed that fungi contaminating the products were Penicillium citrinium​ and Penicillium brevicompactum​.

The agency noted that the discoloration of tablets meant that it is ‘unlikely’ that any tablets had reached the patient level.

Any healthcare professionals or wholesalers that had received products from the affected batches were advised to stop supplying the product before then quarantining and returning the stock to suppliers.

M&A Pharmachem distributed the first batch in September 2018 and the second in March 2019, with expiry dates of June 2023 and October 2023, respectively.