Novartis Recalls Its Over-The-Counter Drugs, NoDoz and Excedrin

Product liability law encompasses negligence. In a negligence case, the maker of a product owes a duty of care to the user to prevent a reasonably foreseeable injury. When a product that is carelessly designed or made causes a reasonably foreseeable injury, the manufacturer must be held liable for the injuries. 

Novartis Consumer Health Inc. has been compelled to recall batches of certain products that it manufactured like NoDoz, Excedrin, Gas-X Prevention and Bufferin. This was due to complaints that were raised against its inconsistent packaging which had led to chipped fragments of strong prescription painkillers ending up in bottles of these OTC drugs.

Although no reports about any harmful effects on patients have floated so far, Novartis, itself, has warned of a possibility of product mixing. Consumers have been requested to either return new, unused bottles or dispose of the drug. Temporarily, operations have been suspended in their production facility located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The suspected drug bottles include selected bottle packaging configurations belonging to retailers of NoDoz and Excedrin products which have a tentative expiry date of 20^th December, 2014 or even much earlier. Even Gas-X Prevention and Bufferin products that have an expiry dated 20^th December, 2013 or before are amongst the bottles that were recalled in the United States.

A statement from Novartis claimed that this action has been taken in advance, as a precautionary measure, since the products have a probability of containing stray capsules, caplets or tablets belonging to other products from Novartis. The bottles are also alleged to contain chipped and broken tablets.

Customers should be informed of the fact that these products may entail patients to take the wrong medication and with pills that are broken or chipped, they may end up taking incorrect dosages. Novartis Consumer Health is conducting this drug recall after consulting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about it. The former has given its assurance about its conviction to keep working closely with the FDA and also its consumers, throughout the process.

The CEO of Novartis, Joseph Jimenez, said that the company is committed to providing a standardized high quality product for the complete Novartis Group. Thus, they are working on the required investments and allocating the appropriate resources which will ensure the implementation of this goal across their entire network. He claimed that they strive to ensure distribution and production of high quality products and operations which has been a critical factor in establishing their reputation as a leading pharmaceutical company over the last 15 years.

Novartis stated that they are planning to resume operations gradually in their Lincoln, Nebraska production facility. This will be done after informing the FDA and also after the successful implementation of its drug recall and other planned improvements. This production facility mainly manufactures drugs for the US market but overall, constitutes for less than 2% of the company’s sales.

The company has stated that currently, it is impossible to determine the time for the continual of operations and that, the cost of drug recall will be approximately $120 million.

Customers who have any queries have been requested to call the Consumer Relationship Center at 1-888-477-2403 or for more details about impacted configurations and potential drug reactions, they can visit their website at www.novartisOTC.com.

Product liability law encompasses negligence. In a negligence case, the maker of a product owes a duty of care to the user to prevent a reasonably foreseeable injury. When a product that is carelessly designed or made causes a reasonably foreseeable injury, the manufacturer must be held liable for the injuries.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of such product negligence, contact the St. Louis Product Liability lawyers of the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm today at (314) 588-7200 or fill out our private consultation form.