Two prominent pharmacy chains have pulled a cosmetic product off their shelves due to concerns of contamination. The recall has affected stores like Boots and Superdrug due to a potential microbial contamination issue at a manufacturing facility.
Mölnlycke Health Care is recalling three batches of Hibiwash, a product carried by major retailers such as Boots and Superdrug. The affected Hibiwash batch numbers are 5156042, 5156043, and 5156093.
The decision to remove the antimicrobial wash was taken as a precautionary step, as confirmed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). A manufacturing site’s routine weekly monitoring revealed contamination with Burkholderia cepacia.
According to a statement from the MHRA, Mölnlycke Health Care is recalling the three batches of Hibiwash due to microbial contamination at the manufacturing site.
The MHRA stated that no harm reports have been received from the contamination, and the associated risk is minimal. They mentioned that although Burkholderia cepacia contamination was found during routine monitoring, no patient harm has been reported.
Shareen Doak, Deputy Director of Benefit-Risk Evaluation at the MHRA, advised individuals to discontinue the use of Hibiwash if they have batch numbers 5156042, 5156043, or 5156093. These batches could potentially be tainted with Burkholderia cepacia and should be returned to a pharmacy for proper disposal.
Doak reassured the public that no patient harm has been linked to this microbial contamination, emphasizing that the recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure.
For individuals who have used the product and are concerned about potential infection or adverse reactions, seeking medical advice is recommended. Suspected adverse reactions can also be reported to the MHRA through their Yellow Card scheme.
