generic drug recall

I know I promised a restaurant update, but a topic has come up
that just needs a bit of scrutiny. Yesterday Perrigo Company
issued a voluntary recall of 11 million bottles of Acetaminophen
500mg (a common pain reliever/fever reducer; the most commonly
known name brand of this is Tylenol). The Michigan based drug
company discovered that tiny metal fragments were contaminating
the capsule shaped pills. This recall will affect folks all over the U.S.,
as the list of over 100 sellers of Perrigo acetaminophen includes
Walmart, CVS, K-Mart, and Kroger (all found in our fair city). Perrigo
informed the FDA about this problem on Nov. 1st, after they
conducted quality control checks on their equipment; some of this
equipment was wearing down "prematurely", but they were also quick
to point out that it bought some of the raw materials for the caplets from
an unnamed "third-party supplier". (Starting to pass the buck now, are
we?!?) The FDA believes that "the probability of serious adverse
health consequences is remote", yet "if a consumer were to swallow
an affected caplet, it could result in minor stomach discomfort and/or
possible cuts to the mouth or throat." (all quotes taken from the
WebMD website.) Now I know that all the major drug companies have
had recalls for one reason or another, but NOT for pieces of metal in
their pills. (might destroy your liver or make you suicidal, but you won't
swallow wiring!) Yet another reason to AVOID generic drugs. Yes, you
pay less, but you are also a bit less sure of what you are ingesting.
Call me a snob, but I won't even buy generic hand cream, much less
something to help my head. This recall is yet another reason to buy
name brand items rather than products from the vast unknown generic
wasteland.

technorati tags:acetaminophen, tylenol, WebMD, Perrigo, drug, recall, FDA