What happened:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for 2.3 million units of “Triaminic Syrup” and “Theraflu Warning Relief Syrups for Cough, Colds, and Fevers,” made by Novartis. The medicine (which is regulated by the FDA) itself is fine. It’s the child resistant packaging that is behind the recall. The recall involves six kinds of Theraflu Warming Relief syrups and 18 kinds of Triaminic syrups. Novaritis has provided a list of the affected products on their website.
The medications contain the pain reliever acetaminophen and the anti-histamine diphenhydramine, which are required by the Poison Packaging Act to be sealed with child-resistant packaging. The CPSC has received 12 reports of children unscrewing locked caps, and four children ingesting the medicine.
The recalled products were manufactured between May 2010 and Dec. 2011. Because the shelf life of these products is five to seven years, there is concern that consumer may still have them in their homes. Smaller businesses, without high turnover in these products may also have them still on their shelves for sale.
The Virginia Injury Lawyer Perspective:
According to the most recent report from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, about 40,000 U.S. children under 5 years old experienced acetaminophen poisoning in 2011. Another 15,000 children younger than 5 experienced diphenhydramine poisoning.
We urge all parents and any child caregivers to check to see if these recalled products are in your home. It’s also important to keep all medicines and vitamins in a locked location, out of the reach and sight of children. And when you do use a medication, double check to make sure the child resistant cap is closed and put the product away immediately.
Helpful Info:
Defective and dangerous products come in all shapes and sizes, from cars to cribs and from prescription drugs to building insulation. If you or a family member has been injured, sickened or killed by an unsafe product, you can begin to learn about your legal rights and options by reading this article.
Have Questions?
We maintain a library of attorneys’ answers to frequently asked questions regarding recalled product.