From vaccines to painkillers, the multi-national corporation Novartis had enjoyed making a fortune on our ills. In 2010 this Switzerland based drug company reported $50.6 billion profit, up 30% from last year. Most popular products? Flu vaccines and Excedrin. This week, the company issued a voluntary recall of many of their products as pills were mislabeled, chipped off and mixed up with other drugs.

How could this happen??
Not much explanation is given other than general statements about possible mix up at their Nebraska facility during production and shipment. The Nebraska facility is currently suspended from operations. On January 8, 2012, Novartis issued the following statement:

“Basel, January 8, 2012 – Novartis Consumer Health Inc. (NCH) informed customers, that it is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle packaging configurations from retailers of Excedrin® and NoDoz® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin® and Gas-X Prevention® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States. NCH is taking this action as a precautionary measure, because the products may contain stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis products, or contain broken or chipped tablets.”

Confused and bedazzled customers are asked to call the following number with their questions:
Consumer Relationship Center at 1-888-477-2403 (available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time).

Later in the same press release about the recall the company assures the customers about their commitment to quality.

So should we trust them??

Absolutely not. In fact, if you read the disclaimer, it specifically asks you NOT to:
“The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as “committed”, plans”, “will” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X Prevention and NoDoz or regarding potential future revenues from Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X Prevention and NoDoz. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. ”

How clever.

And in case you decide to get one of those flu shots in Walgreens. Check the label. I think the manufacturer will sound familiar. And if you still want to get it, I won’t stop you.

More on Novartis on Watchdogs.

More about Flu shots on Watchdogs.