By Kim Jae-won
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said Tuesday that it had prohibited the sales of two children’s Tylenol syrup products due to a possible manufacturing problem that may have increased the concentration of their active ingredient.
The MFDS said that prescription and sales of Children’s Tylenol Suspension 100 ml and 500 ml of Janssen Korea will be halted at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and convenience stores from Tuesday.
The ministry said that it is a preemptive action to prevent patients from taking too much acetaminophen, the key ingredient in the medicine. Excessive doses of the substance can damage the liver.
“We are looking into Janssen Korea’s production and quality control; and may take administrative action if any violations of regulations are found,” said the ministry in a statement.
Janssen Korea said that it had recalled all of the two Tylenol products manufactured after May 2011.
“We decided to recall all the products to protect consumers’ safety. We will also review our production process and educate employees more strictly,” said Cho Min-hee, a spokeswoman for the company.
The ministry said that consumers can use 34 fever reducing alternatives produced by local and international pharmaceutical firms.