Sabotage suspected as Nurofen Plus recalled in Britain

THE makers of Nurofen Plus recalled tablets in Britain last night and confirmed sabotage was suspected in packets of the painkillers.

Five reported cases of other manufacturers’ medicines were discovered in boxes of Nurofen Plus with a spokesman for manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser (UK) saying: “Sabotage is suspected and we are working with the police on a formal investigation to find the person or persons responsible.

“Distribution of Nurofen Plus has been halted at this time.”

Dr Aomesh Bhatt, medical director for Nurofen Plus, added: “We are taking this matter extremely seriously and have decided to recall all packs of Nurofen Plus as the most prudent course of action in the current circumstances.

“We’re asking consumers to return any packs of Nurofen Plus to a pharmacy. No other Nurofen products are affected or being recalled.”

Investigators began trying to establish how some packs of Nurofen Plus came to contain strips of a potentially harmful anti-psychotic drug after yesterday’s safety alert.

Consumers were warned to check their supplies after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a warning that some packs contained Seroquel XL 50mg. However, no threat was reported to Irish supplies.

In Britain, three packs of Nurofen Plus were found to contain blister packs of the anti-psychotic medicine.

They were bought in Victoria, Bromley and Beckenham, south London.

In each pack, the end two capsules of Seroquel XL had been cut off.

But yesterday, two more packets were found.

One contained Seroquel XL 50mg tablets and the other contained the Pfizer product Neurontin 100mg capsules.

Seroquel XL is a prescription-only anti-psychotic drug used to treat disorders including schizophrenia, mania and bipolar depression.

People who accidentally take the drug may experience sleepiness and are advised not to drive or operate any tools or machinery.