What happens when a medicine is recalled
How MHRA drug alerts work, what the four alert classes mean, and why you should not stop taking a prescribed medicine without advice.
Medicines are recalled in the UK when a batch has a quality problem, such as the wrong strength, contamination or faulty packaging. Most recalls happen at pharmacy level, and many patients never need to do anything. Here is how it works.
Who issues medicine recalls
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) publishes drug alerts and medical device safety notices. Alerts go to pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospitals and wholesalers, who remove the affected batches.
The four classes of drug alert
- Class 1: the defect is potentially life-threatening or could cause serious harm. Action is needed immediately, including out of hours.
- Class 2: the defect could cause harm, but is not life-threatening. Action is needed within 48 hours.
- Class 3: the defect is unlikely to cause harm, and the batch is recalled for other reasons. Action within five days.
- Class 4: caution in use. There is a minor problem, such as a printing error on a leaflet, and the medicine can still be used.
Each alert says whether patients need to be contacted. Often the answer is no, because the affected stock is still on pharmacy shelves.
Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine
If you hear that a medicine you take has been recalled, do not stop taking it without speaking to your pharmacist or GP. Stopping suddenly can be more dangerous than the defect itself. Check the batch number on your box against the alert, then ask your pharmacist what to do. They can usually swap it for an unaffected batch.
Medical devices
The MHRA also publishes safety notices for medical devices, from blood glucose meters to hearing aids. These often ask users to check a serial number or install a software update. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the notice, and contact your clinic if a device is part of your treatment.
Over-the-counter products
Some recalls cover products you buy without a prescription, such as painkillers or cold remedies. In that case you can take the product back to the shop or pharmacy. Our medicine recalls page lists the latest alerts with batch numbers.
More guides
- Recall, withdrawal or safety notice: what’s the difference?
- How to report an unsafe product in the UK
- How to check if a product has been recalled
- What to do if your car is recalled
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Always follow the official notice for a specific recall. Read our editorial policy or see all guides.