The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to Dollar Tree for receiving over-the-counter drugs produced by foreign manufacturers that have been found to be adulterated, including acne treatment pads and Assured brand drugs. The letter outlines “multiple violations” of manufacturing practices at those contract manufacturers used to produce Dollar Tree’s Assured Brand over-the-counter drugs as well as other drug products sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores. The warning letter notes how some of the drug products came from Shanghai Weierya Daily Chemicals Factory and Hangzhou Zhongbo Industrial Company Ltd., which the letter details have shown a pattern of serious violations of the law, such as not testing raw materials or drugs for pathogens and quality. The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report any adverse events that might have occurred while using over-the-counter drug products from the contract manufacturers.

Takeaway: To be on the safe side, check your cabinet and discard dollar tree medicines.