Nurofen Plus Recalled; Sabotage Suspected

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued several press releases Aug. 25–26, 2011, regarding the discovery of rogue medicines in packs of Reckitt Benckiser’s Nurofen Plus.

The most recent of the press releases announces that Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Ltd is to recall all remaining unexpired stock of Nurofen Plus tablets of any pack size as a precautionary measure. The discovery of AstraZeneca's anti-psychotic drug Seroquel XL in Nurofen Plus packs on Aug. 25, 2011 was followed by a pack containing Pfizer's Neurontin 100mg, used to treat epilepsy, being found in Northern Ireland on Aug. 26, 2011.

The MHRA advised the public in a previous press release to return any packs of Nurofen Plus pain relief tablets to any pharmacy. The release also indicated the differences between the blister packs and medicines contained within. Seroquel tablets are large and capsule shaped in gold and black packaging, Nurofen Plus blister packs are silver and black, and Neurontin tablets are white capsules printed with name of the drug. Ian Holloway from the MHRA's Defective Medicines Report Centre (DMRC) said, "People should check to see if they have any packets of Nurofen Plus. If you do, return them to your nearest pharmacy."

Reckitt Benckiser issued the recall on the Nurofen website and stated, "Sabotage is suspected and we are working with the police on a formal investigation to find the person or persons responsible. Distribution of Nurofen Plus has been halted at this time."