Latest on 2010 McNeil Recall of Children's Medicine

Late last week, McNeil Consumer Healthcare voluntarily recalled over 40 children's medicines, including popular staples in parents' medicine cupboards, liquid Infant and Children's Tylenol and Motrin. In addition to liquid pain relievers, several other children's OTC medicines were also subject to the McNeil recall. Parents treating their child's allergies with liquid Children's Zyrtec or Children's Benadryl should note that they are also affected. The recall, which urged parents to cease giving the recalled medicines to their children, was announced late Friday, after doctor's office hours for much of the country. In fact, the press release didn't hit PR Newswire until 9:15 P.M. Eastern time.

How to get a replacement or refund if subject to McNeil Recall of Children's Medicine

Is your child's liquid Tylenol or Motrin on the recall list? If you have any of the children's OTC medicines on McNeil's recall list, log on to the recall website, http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com to request a high value replacement coupon, or, if you desire, to request a refund for the products purchased. This option was not available last weekend, but is now currently live.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Have your recalled products nearby. You will need the NDC number, which is printed in very fine print just above the product's name on the front of the label.

2. Go to http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com and click on the link that offers the option to request a high value coupon or refund.

3. Complete the form requesting your name, address, email, and telephone number. You will need to select a best time for a McNeil representative to call you back.

4. Next, use the drop down menu to select your product (up to 6 for each form), NDC number, Lot Number, and Expiration Date. If you have more than 6 recalled children's medicines, you will need to submit this form twice.

5. Select how you wish to be remunerated for your loss. The form defaults to product coupon; therefore, if you would like to receive a refund, click the drop down menu to select that option.

What do you do with the medicine?

McNeil Consumer Healthcare's FAQ page urges consumers to responsibly dispose of their medications and points them to http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/ for advice on disposal. Flushing or pouring the medication down the drain is frowned upon. Instead, consumers can mix their recalled liquid medications in a re-sealable plastic bag, along with an absorbent material, such as kitty litter, saw dust or old coffee grounds. Seal the bag and toss it into your trash. Parents may wish to hold onto the empty container in case they are contacted by McNeil to verify information.

Sources:
http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2957698/mcneil_recalls_zyrtec_motrin_and_other.html