P&G Voluntarily Recalls Specific Lots of Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray

November 24, 2009—The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is voluntarily recalling 3 lots of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom as a precautionary step after finding the bacteria B cepacia in a small amount of product made at its plant in Gross Gerau, Germany.

No illness has been reported; however, the bacteria could cause serious infections for individuals with compromised immune systems or those with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis. B cepacia poses little medical risk to healthy individuals, the company reports.

P&G acted promptly after detecting the problem during routine quality control at the plant. The company’s analysis to date shows the problem to be limited to a single batch of raw material mixture. In the United States, the lot number of the affected product (Vicks Sinex Vapospray 12-Hour Decongestant Ultra Fine Mist, 15-mL, Nasal Spray) is #9239028831; the number is listed on both the outer carton and the bottle.

The company is removing the product from store shelves, has set up 2 toll-free telephone numbers, and informed health care professionals and regulatory authorities. Consumers who have already purchased the affected product with this lot number should be advised to discard it as they would any OTC medicine; they may call P&G at 1-877-876-7881 with any questions or to request a replacement product or refund.

Pharmacists are being asked to remove any Sinex VasoSpray 12-hour Decongestant Ultra Fine Mist Nasal Spray (Lot #9239028831) from their pharmacy shelves. Health care professionals seeking more information should call 1-800-873-8276.

Information about the recall is also posted on www.vicks.com.