Dear Healthcare Professional,

Pinewood Laboratories Limited

Boots Heartburn Relief Peppermint Flavour   (PL 04917/0027)

Peptac Peppermint Liquid (Ivax Pharmaceuticals UK)  (PL 04917/0027)

Peptac Liquid Aniseed Flavour (Ivax Pharmaceuticals UK)  (PL 04917/0021)      

(Oral suspensions containing sodium alginate 250mg, sodium bicarbonate 133.5mg and calcium carbonate 80mg per 5ml) Boots Heartburn Relief Peppermint Flavour

Pinewood Laboratories Limited are recalling the above lots due to a low-level microbial contamination detected in a small number of samples from these batches. The contamination causes spoilage of the product and a phenolic or antiseptic smell. The products should smell of peppermint or aniseed.

The microbial contamination is not likely to be harmful to normally healthy consumers. However, if these products are being used by patients with suppressed immune systems, such as patients on chemotherapy, the risk of infection and other adverse reactions cannot be ruled out. General Practitioners or Pharmacists receiving enquiries from such patients are requested to give professional advice and refer to the responsible treatment centre where necessary.

For Medical Information enquiries, please call Pinewood Laboratories Limited on 00353 52 6136253

For any other queries relating to the Boots product, please contact Central Customer Care on 08450 708090

For all queries relating to stock of the Ivax products please contact: Jane Booth, Customer Liaison manager, Teva UK Limited on Freephone 0800 590502

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this letter. Primary care Trusts are asked to forward this to relevant clinics and to General practitioners and Community Pharmacists for information.

Yours faithfully

Alison Bunce
Pharmaceutical Assessor, DMRC