Amazon.com OTC Medication Recall Issued Over Lack Of Child-Proofing, Poisoning Risk

More than 30 over-the-counter painkillers sold exclusively by Amazon.com have been recalled, due to a risk they may cause accidental overdoses among young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Amazon.com drug recall on September 11, after discovering several over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were being distributed in easy-to-open packaging, which is in violation of federally required drug packaging laws.

According to the recall, 31 different Medique drugs sold through Amazon.com under the product lines Medi-First, Medi-First Plus, Medique, Dover, Otis Clapp, and Ecolab should be placed out of reach from children immediately.

CPSC officials indicate the products were manufactured and sold in non-child resistant packaging required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), which was passed to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion and poisonings of children who accidentally consumer potentially hazardous products such as certain prescription and OTC medications, pesticides, and household chemicals.

The recall impacts approximately 143,300 aspirin-containing products, acetaminophen-containing products, ibuprofen-containing products, lidocaine-containing products, diphenhydramine, loperamide, and naproxen products, in both tablet, spray and cream forms. A full list of recalled products is available in the recall notice, linked above.

The medications were manufactured by Medique, of Fort Myers, Florida, but were sold exclusively at Amazon.com from June 2018 through June 2020 for between $2 and $59.

Officials are urging customers to immediately review their inventory of aspirin-containing products and quarantine those included in the recall to be placed out of reach from children.

Customers with recalled products are being asked to contact Medique at 800-680-2474 for information on how to dispose of the product and receive a full refund.

The recall comes on the heels of a recent investigative report which revealed that hundreds of consumers have reported problems with AmazonBasics products overheating, catching fire, exploding or causing property damage, which has raised questions about whether the online retail giant is taking adequate steps to address risks or respond to issues.

In August, The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), released a chemical exposure alert , after finding a 10% increase in reports of medication and household cleaning poisonings involving children since the coronavirus pandemic emerged in March.

As many parents and caregivers continue to work from home while children are out of school, researchers say children may be at higher risk of exposure or accidental ingestion of cleaning supplies left out due to the frequent cleaning recommended by state and government officials to prevent infections.

Health experts are encouraging consumers to be vigilant in practicing safe storage habits for medications, chemicals and potentially dangerous household cleaners. All hazardous products should be either behind safety locks or up high and out of sight from children, so as not to entice them to climb on furniture.