Common antibiotic used by 1.6m recalled as 'stop' warning issued

Common antibiotic used by 1.6m recalled as 'stop' warning issued The medication is used to treat infections such as skin and soft tissue problems with more than three million prescriptions issued a year in the UK Healthcare professionals have been told to stop supplying a batch of a common antibiotic and return it to their supplier. A medicines recall notice has been issued to pharmacies and wholesalers warning that a mistake has been made with some packs of the medication. Flamingo Pharma UK Ltd has informed the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that certain packs of Flucloxacillin have an incorrect patient information leaflet (PIL). Instead of the details for Flucloxacillin the packs contain leaflets for Amoxicillin. Flucloxacillin is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat skin and wound infections such as cellulitis and infected eczema. It is also used for bone and ear infections. It is only available on prescription with more than 3million prescriptions issued every year to around 1.6million people. Advising the recall was a precautionary measure, the government recall notice stated: "Flamingo Pharma UK Ltd have informed the MHRA that certain packs of Flucloxacillin Capsules BP 500mg contain the incorrect PIL. The affected packs contain the PIL for Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules instead of the PIL for Flucloxacillin BP 500mg Capsules. "Flamingo Pharma UK Ltd estimate that the number of impacted is low, however as a precautionary measure, this batch is being recalled." In advice to healthcare professionals it added: "Stop supplying the affected batch. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process." The notice said patients should be told that some packs had the incorrect leaflet but added: "Patients may continue to take the capsules as prescribed by your doctor as the quality of the capsules is not impacted by this defect. No further action is required by patients. "This recall is being undertaken as a precautionary measure and applies at pharmacy and wholesaler level. The correct PIL may be found here. "Patients who experience adverse reactions or have any questions about their medication should seek medical attention. Any suspected adverse reactions should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme." The affected products have the batch number 1600636 with an expiry date of 31/08/2028. It is a pack size of 28 capsules and was first distributed on May 19, 2026.