Rotherham Nurse Raises Alarm Over Infant Medicine Feeder

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 23 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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A concerned Rotherham nurse has forced manufacturers of an infant medicine feeder to withdraw its product following a safety scare. Nurse Karen Ray, a clinical procurement specialist at Rotherham Hospital, took her concerns to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after a six-month-old baby was admitted to Rotherham Hospital following a liquid paracetamol overdose.

Karen Ray told the MHRA how she feared the First Steps feeder, manufactured by RSW International Ltd, was being distributed nationwide and sold for £1 in discount retail outlets, and on eBay. RSW International have now recalled all remaining stock.

Karen explained: "I was worried when I saw the medicine feeder about how confusing the measurements were. The measurements were in mls and teaspoons and it was really unclear which was which.

"I immediately took my concerns to the MHRA and they contacted the manufacturers. Thankfully it has now been removed from sale."

MHRA Director of Device Technology and Safety, Clive Bray, said he "strongly advised" people to stop using these medicine feeders which are marketed for the administration of liquid medicines to babies and young children.

"There is no evidence that the safety, quality or performance of this product has been assessed to the current standard," he said.

"The product could pose a potential risk to babies or young children as the measuring scale is confusing and could be inaccurate.

"This may have caused the reported overdose and we are strongly advising parents to stop using, and dispose of this product."

Source
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

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