Funny smell? Maybe it’s the Lipitor

Pfizer recently recalled a few batches of Lipitor because of a peculiar odor.

A press release posted on the FDA website states: “A medical assessment has determined that the odor is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

Yes…the odor is perfectly safe. It’s the actual medication that might cause adverse health consequences.

But this is my favorite part of the press release: “Pfizer has taken a number of steps to ensure that there is no shortage of LIPITOR 40 mg as a result of this recall.”

What a relief! I was a little panicked about the possibility of a Lipitor shortage.

The press release also stresses that the odor is from the bottles, not the Lipitor: “Pfizer is working closely with the bottle supplier to determine the cause of the odor problem and to rapidly address it.”

I wonder if Johnson & Johnson executives are kicking themselves, realizing they could have blamed those recent problems with children’s medications on the bottles.

D’oh!

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“Lipitor Recall Information” FDA, 10/9/10, fda.gov