Children's medicine recalled

A common children's cough medicine, the Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) two per cent sugar free, has been recalled because of a "possible microbial contamination".

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

Sanofi-Aventis said that although Malta had not received any of the defective batches of Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) two per cent 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.

"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 two per cent sugar free syrup to the pharmacy from where it was purchased," the Medicines Authority said yesterday.

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 sugar free forms for adults.

Persons in possession of Rhinathiol (carbocisteine) two per cent 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 on telephone 2343 9117.