J&J recalls Benadryl, Motrin

US health care major Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has recalled about 4 million packages of children's Benadryl allergy tablets and about 800,000 bottles of junior-strength Motrin, due to 'insufficiencies in the development of the manufacturing process.'

The voluntary recall initiated by J&J is the latest in a series of product recalls made by the company over the past year and the third such recall for Benadryl and Motrin this year by J&J's McNeil Consumer Health division.

In a deviation from its past practice of issuing a press release on the J&J website or posting recalls on product websites, the latest recall was posted as a notice on McNeil's website on 15 November.

In the notice, McNeil said that this was a wholesale and retail level recall and no action was required by consumers or healthcare providers and consumers could continue to use the product.

The drugmaker said that the recall was initiated after a review, conducted as part of McNeil's comprehensive action plan, which revealed insufficiencies in the development of the manufacturing process.

 ''There is no indication that the recalled products do not meet quality standards, and this recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse events,'' said McNeil in the notice.