Kid’s Panadol safety advisory
November 25, 2013
The
Therapeutic
Goods
Administration
has warned
consumers that
some measuring
syringes supplied
with Children’s
Panadol Baby Drops have the
“potential to lead to accidental
overdoses”.
Apparently some of the syringes
have been incorrectly marked, with
consumers urged to check any of
the devices at home.
“If the dosing indicator does
not begin from the bottom of the
syringe near the tip, do not use
the syringe to measure out the
medicine,” the TGA said.
The issue only applies to the
dosing syringes supplied with
Children’s Panadol Bay Drops, and
does not affect the quality of the
accompanying medicine.
GlaxoSmithKline has initiated
a voluntary recall of the dosing
device, and says that after initial
investigations “this appears to be a
rare incident and a low safety risk”.
Consumers who are uncertain if
their syringe is affected are being
told to consult their pharmacist.
“If the syringe is incorrect
it should be returned to the
pharmacy, or the consumer can call
the GSK Product Information line
on 1800 650 123,” the firm said.
GlaxoSmithKline is conducting a
thorough investigation of the issue
“and appropriate actions are being
taken to ensure that this situation
does not occur again”.
The company said the only
component impacted is the syringe
and “therefore consumers may
choose to dispose of the incorrect
syringe and continue using the
product with another suitable
syringe”.
GSK medical director, Dr Andrew
Yeates, said that if a child has been
dosed using an incorrect syringe
following the label instructions
there is a low risk to their health.
However if parents or carers
have concerns about a potential
overdose they should ring the
Poisons Information Centre on
131 126 or “go to the hospital
immediately even if your child
feels well because of the risk of
delayed, serious liver damage if left
untreated.
“Pharmacists and doctors have
been advised of the situation and
have been asked to apply clinical
judgement should a patient
experience a worsening of their
symptoms,” Yeates said.
The former dosing device for
Children’s Panadol was withdrawn
earlier this year due to a patent
challenge by rival Reckitt Benckiser.
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