Published by M10News.com | Written by Sola Adeniji | Category: Health & Safety|9, June 2025
London, UK – Two prescription-only batches of paracetamol have been urgently recalled over concerns that some tablets may be contaminated, according to a safety notice issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The recall affects Chelonia Healthcare Ltd’s 500mg paracetamol tablets, which were distributed earlier this year to pharmacies across the UK. The affected batches bear the following codes:
- Batch 2312010
- Batch 2312011
Both have an expiry date of November 2027.
The MHRA said the action followed reports of a “small number” of tablets appearing discoloured, prompting fears of potential contamination or manufacturing inconsistencies.
What Consumers Should Look For
The impacted medication is described as white, capsule-shaped tablets with a scored line to aid breaking. Patients who have received pots from the listed batches are urged to check for any visual abnormalities, particularly changes in colour.
“If you find tablets that are discoloured in any way, in pots from the listed batches, please contact your pharmacist or the healthcare professional who dispensed your prescription,” the MHRA stated.
Pharmacies Ordered to Withhold Dispensing
While the exact nature of the risk has not been disclosed, the MHRA has instructed pharmacies to immediately stop dispensing the affected stock and remove them from circulation.
These specific paracetamol tablets are not available over the counter and are only dispensed via prescription. The agency is working with distributors and healthcare professionals to ensure the faulty medication is fully withdrawn from use.
Patient Safety Comes First
In a statement to M10News, a spokesperson for the MHRA said:
“Patient safety is our highest priority. Although no serious incidents have been reported, we are acting out of an abundance of caution to safeguard public health.”
Anyone who has already consumed the medication and experiences any unusual or adverse reactions should seek medical advice immediately, the agency stressed.
Background: Drug Quality Oversight in the UK
The MHRA conducts routine monitoring of medicinal products, including visual checks and batch testing, to ensure safety and efficacy. Recalls such as this are not uncommon but are taken seriously due to the risk of unintended health consequences.
This incident also underscores the critical importance of batch traceability and pharmaceutical quality assurance in the UK’s tightly regulated medicine supply chain.
Pharmacies are expected to complete checks and return any stock from the affected batches in line with MHRA instructions.
M10News will update this story if further details on the contamination or health risks emerge.
