Vitamin and Medicine Bottles
CPSC Recall #97-161 — July 20, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-161 |
| Recall Date | July 20, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 25,000 |
| Manufacturer | Carifarma Pharmaceutical, Duralgina, Efficient Laboratories, Lex Pharmaceutical, Medley Pharmaceutical, Menper Distributors |
Where It Was Sold
| The vitamins and medicines were mainly sold at small pharmacies |
| and discount drug and retail stores in Puerto Rico |
| New York |
| Florida and the Southeastern United States from January 1996 through June 1997 for about $5. |
Product
Vitamin and Medicine Bottles
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lex Pharmaceutical Inc. of Medley, Fla., is recalling about 25,000 bottles of vitamins and medicines because they do not have child-resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. If accidentally swallowed by children, these products can cause serious injury or death.CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving these products. However, about 50 children each year die from poisoning after swallowing medicines and other toxic substances.This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The recalled products all have plain, screw-on caps. The recall does not involve units with child resistant closures. The recalled products were packaged by Lex Pharmaceutical Inc., but some have different distributors. The recalled products are:- Multigon Junior, a 240-count bottle of chewable vitamin mineral supplements for children, comes in a clear bottle with a white label showing a spotted orange cat on the front. It is distributed by Menper Distributors of Miami, Fla.- Duralgina, a 30-count bottle of analgesic tablets containing acetominophen, also is distributed by Menper Distributors of Miami, Fla. It comes in a white bottle with orange lettering with "THE SUPER STRENGTH PAIN RELIEVER" written on the front.- Cramps Out, a 24-count bottle of tablets containing acetaminophen. It comes in a white and orange bottle packaged in a box. The words "SLEEP AID AND PAIN RELIEVER" and a diagram of a knotted rope within a leg are on the box and bottle. It is distributed by Efficient Laboratories of San Juan, Puerto Rico.- Uni 1 Dose, a 100- and 365-count bottle of multiple vitamins with iron that has a blue label on a white bottle (100-count) or clear bottle (365-count). It is distributed by Medley Pharmaceutical of Medley, Fla.- Lexagran-M Vitamins, a l00- and 130-count bottle of tablets, comes in a white bottle with an orange and blue label design. The word "LEX" is written above the product name. It is distributed by Lex Pharmaceutical.- Hematinic Beef-Iron and Wine, a 16-oz. white or brown bottle contains this liquid supplement which also has "LEX" written above the product name with an orange and blue label design, and is distributed by Medley Pharmaceutical.- Supra-Vita, a 100-count bottle of vitamin tablets, comes in a white bottle with a pink label. "Supra-Vita" is written in green and most other writing on the bottle is purple. It is distributed by Carifarma Pharmaceutical Inc. of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.The vitamins and medicines were mainly sold at small pharmacies, and discount drug and retail stores in Puerto Rico, New York, Florida and the Southeastern United States from January 1996 through June 1997 for about $5.Consumers should immediately discontinue use of the recalled products and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Lex Pharmaceutical at (800) 522-5712 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.Inquiries in Spanish can be directed to Jésus Chairez at (214) 827-6239.
Hazard
The bottles do not have child-resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. If accidentally swallowed by children, these products can cause serious injury or death.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving these products. However, about 50 children each year die from poisoning after swallowing medicines and other toxic substances.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately discontinue use of the recalled products and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.