Pfizer Drug Recalled Over Child Safety Concern

Pfizer is recalling a migraine medication over concerns that packaging may allow children to gain access to the drug.

The pharmaceutical giant recalled its drug Nurtec ODT following a recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In particular, the drug manufacturer is concerned that the packaging of its medication is not properly child-resistant.

The CPSC announced that the Nurtec 8-unit box “is not child resistant, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.” The agency said that consumers “should immediately secure the recalled product out of sight and reach of children” and secure the drugs.

Pfizer announced that it is recalling 4.2 million boxes of the medication, which can be used against both acute and episodic migraines. While the FDA deemed the drug safe for use by adults, it is especially dangerous for children.

The recall means that consumers of the drug are urged to contact Pfizer for a childproof vial while pharmacies will be distributing the drug using a vial intended to prevent access by children.

Pfizer maintains that “there are no quality or safety issues nor health risks” for those who take the drug in its intended use. The affected Nurtec boxes were distributed from December 2021 to the present and expire through June 2026.

Pfizer and German pharmaceutical company BioNTech developed one of the major COVID-19 vaccines, which received an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020.

The FDA has since expanded the accepted use of the vaccine, including for people aged 12-15 in May 2021 and those aged 5-11 in October 2021.

The FDA allowed the use of the vaccine for children aged six months to four years. This month, the federal agency approved the use of the Pfizer booster shot for children of the same age that received a three-shot regimen.

The FDA announced in January 2023 that there was a potential increased risk of stroke in the first three weeks following receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for those older than 65.