Boots is recalling five batches of its cough and cold medicines over fears that some of them could contain pieces of plastic.

Medicines watchdog the MHRA issued the warning yesterday (November 26) after Boots recalled the batches because of a manufacturing fault in the tamper seal, which could have caused some small pieces of plastic to fall into the liquid.

The recall only affects batches purchased since September 2013 and there was no evidence that patients had been affected, the MHRA said.

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	But patients were being asked to return the medicines as a precautionary measure and would be refunded the cost of the products, it said.

"People should check their medicine cupboards at home and return these products to Boots if they have purchased them since September 2013. If people are worried or have any questions, they should speak to their pharmacist or GP," said Adam Burgess, manager of the MHRA Defective Medicines Recall Centre.

Boots said it was investigating the fault and apologised for any inconvenience caused. Patients who are concerned can call Boots Customer Care on 0800 915 0004 or visit a Boots pharmacy, the company said.

The affected medicines are:

• Boots Pharmaceuticals Chesty Cough Relief 100mg/5ml oral solution
• Boots Pharmaceuticals Dry Cough Relief oral solution
• Boots Pharmaceuticals Mucus Cough Relief 100mg/5ml oral solution
• Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 6 years plus 250mg/5ml oral solution 200ml
• Boots Pharmaceuticals Ibuprofen 3 months plus 100mg/5ml oral suspension, strawberry flavour