Drug Racall – M & A Pharmachem Paracetamol 500 mg Tablets

#Providenciales, July 9, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services (MoHASHS) hereby advises the general public that the pharmaceutical company M&A Pharmachem has recently conducted a voluntary recall of two (2) batches of the drug Paracetamol 500mg tablets. Paracetamol is an analgesic (pain reliever), antipyretic (anti-fever) and anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation and swelling) drug. These tablets are in pack sizes of 1000’s and are usually sold to pharmacies and other authorised retailers. However, these tablets are normally repackaged for sale to patients/consumers. 

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and follows recent and emerging information regarding a small number of pots from each batch having been found to contain discoloured tablets due to fungal contamination. The batch numbers are:

0110 (expiry date: June 2023)

0174 (expiry date: Oct. 2023)

The fungi have been identified as Penicillium citrinium and Penicillium brevicompactum. It is reported that it is unlikely that any affected tablets have gotten to the patient level as the discolouration is noticeable on opening affected packs.

However, we advise persons who have purchased this product to stop taking same and to notify their doctor and/or pharmacist as soon as possible. There are suitable alternative generics (with the same active pharmaceutical ingredient) and other alternative treatment options which are available in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The MoHASHS is committed to regulating medicines and aims to ensure that quality standards and systems regarding the safe use of medicines, imported and utilized within the TCI, are implemented. The MoHASHS’ top priority is to ensure patient safety and we will continue to monitor this situation.

For more information regarding the regulation of controlled drugs, please contact the National Pharmacist, André Morgan at 338-3072.

Release: TCIG