The Medicines Authority said today that Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) 2% sugar free medicine for children and infants (pink box) was being recalled after it received a Medicinal Defect Report.

The recall is being carried out by Sanofi-Aventis Malta Ltd in collaboration with Charles de Giorgio Ltd., the local distributor.

"A recall of all batches of the product is being effected due to possible microbial contamination. Therefore patients are being notified to return all Rhinathiol 2% sugar free syrup to the pharmacy from where it was purchased," the Authority said.

Sanofi-Aventis said that although Malta had not received any of the defective batches of Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) 2% sugar-free syrup for infants and children, patients' safety was their primary priority and, as a precautionary measure, it was decided to recall all batches of the syrup.

The recall concerns only the sugar-free form for infants and children and not the sweetened forms for infants and children nor the sweetened and sugarfree forms for adults.

Persons in possession of Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) 2% sugar-free syrup for infants and children were advised not to consume the medicine, not to give it to a third party and to take it back to the pharmacy where it was purchased.

Further information is available from telephone 2343 9117.