Boots, the UK’s leading pharmacy chain, has issued an urgent recall of its 500 mg paracetamol tablets after a packaging error led to mislabelling.
Customers are being advised to stop using the affected product immediately and return it to any Boots store for a full refund.
The recall involves batch number 241005 of Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (16 pack), which has an expiry date of December 2029.
The foil blister inside the carton incorrectly identifies the tablets as “Aspirin 300 mg Dispersible Tablets” instead of paracetamol. Despite the labeling error, manufacturers have confirmed that the tablets inside are indeed paracetamol 500 mg.
This mislabelling could lead to confusion and potential health risks, particularly for individuals who might be sensitive to aspirin or require precise medication dosages.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has emphasized the importance of returning the affected packs to prevent any adverse effects or misuse.
Dr. Stephanie Millican, Deputy Director of Benefit Risk Evaluation at the MHRA, stated, “Patient safety is always our priority.
“It is vitally important that you check the packaging of your Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets 16s- and if the batch number is 241005, you should stop using the product and return it to a Boots store for a full refund.
“If you are unsure which pack you have purchased or have taken Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets and experienced any side effects, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
“Please report any suspected adverse reactions via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.
“If you have any questions or require further advice, please seek advice from your pharmacist or other relevant healthcare professional.”
Boots has assured customers that they can return the product with or without a receipt. Those who have purchased the tablets for someone else are urged to inform them about the recall as soon as possible. For further assistance, customers can contact Boots’ customer care team at 08009150004.
The MHRA has also encouraged people who have taken this product and experienced any side effects to report them through its Yellow Card scheme. Customers uncertain about their purchase or requiring additional advice are advised to consult a pharmacist or healthcare professional.
Boots has confirmed that a full investigation is underway in collaboration with its supplier to determine how this packaging error occurred. The company reiterated its commitment to customer safety and apologized for any inconvenience caused by this issue.
