Indigestion remedy recalled

17^th November 2009 ­- The medicines regulator, the MHRA, is carrying out a precautionary recall, at wholesale and pharmacy level, on two batches of 500ml bottles of Gaviscon Advance Peppermint Flavour.

The batch numbers are: 924471 and 925071.

The reason for the recall is because low-level bacterial contamination has been found in one of the batches.  The contamination could cause the product to spoil and alter Gaviscon’s smell from peppermint to antiseptic.

A low percentage of bottles in batch no. 924471 are known to be affected. Although no bottles in batch no. 925071 have been reported as defective, the marketing authorisation holder, Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd, wishes to recall this batch as a precautionary measure, whilst the causes are being investigated.

What to do if you have unwittingly taken this product

The MHRA says normally healthy consumers who have used this product or have it at home do not need to worry, as the contamination is unlikely to be harmful. However, for consumers with suppressed immune systems, such as patients on chemotherapy, the risk of infection from this contamination cannot be ruled out.

Anyone who has any worries or suspected side effects should contact their doctor.

Batch details