Britons told to 'check' their painkillers as over-the-counter pills urgently recalled over 'contamination' concerns

A statement on the Gov.UK website reads: "Chelonia Healthcare Limited is recalling specific batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (100 pots) as a precautionary measure due to contamination following a small number of complaints of discoloured tablets within the pots.

"Patients or carers should check to see if they have received tablets from the listed batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets."

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced the Class 2 medicines recall today, affecting tablets distributed in April and May this year.

The affected medication, which requires a prescription and is dispensed in 100-tablet containers, is being recalled while investigations continue.

Although contamination has only been confirmed in batch 2312010, the company has extended the recall to include batch 2312011 to minimise any potential risk to patients.

The first affected batch, numbered 2312010, was initially distributed on April 14, 2025, and carries an expiry date of November 30, 2027.

The second batch, 2312011, was distributed on May 15, 2025, with an expiry date of November 31, 2027.

According to the MHRA notice, healthcare professionals reported finding discoloured tablets within some packs, prompting the immediate recall.

The tablets should appear as "white capsule-shaped tablets, scored on one side", as specified in the patient information leaflet.

The contamination issue has been identified only in batch 2312010, but Chelonia Healthcare Limited has taken the precautionary step of recalling both batches whilst their investigation and analysis continue.

The affected medication is marketed under licence PL: 33414/0126 and distributed in Genesis livery packaging.

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Patients who have received these medications should check their bottle labels and outer cartons for the batch numbers.

Those who discover any discoloured tablets from the listed batches should contact their pharmacist or the healthcare professional who dispensed their prescription immediately.

Healthcare professionals have been instructed to stop supplying the affected batches with immediate effect. All remaining stock must be quarantined and returned to suppliers using approved procedures.

Patients experiencing adverse reactions or with concerns about their medication should seek medical attention. Any suspected adverse reactions should be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

For medical enquiries, patients can email eupvg@genreg.eu or telephone 020 7201 0421. Stock control queries should be directed to info@genesis-pharma.com or 0207 201 0400.