Pfizer Recalls Lipitor Bottles

Pfizer plans to recall about 19,000 bottles of Lipitor in the U.S. due to reports of an uncharacteristic odor related to the bottles, which were supplied by a third-party manufacturer. Pfizer hasn’t identified the supplier.

Pfizer has cited reports of musty or moldy odors emanating from bottles in recalling about 370,000 bottles of Lipitor in three previous alerts beginning in August. According to the company, the risk of health problems to users appears to be minimal.

The odor is consistent with the presence of a chemical used as a wood preservative on shipping pallets. Pfizer has since taken steps to eliminate the odor problem but the latest batch of recalled products was manufactured before the improvements were made.