Potentially Unsafe Meds at Dollar Stores

Certain medications found at two common dollar store chains may pose safety issues, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA is warning consumers about certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications found at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores, including Dollar Tree's Assured Brand of OTC drugs.

The FDA issued a warning letter to Greenbrier International, Inc. (doing business as Dollar Tree), for receiving OTC medications made by foreign companies that have violated federal law. In fact, these companies received warning letters about adulterated drugs from the FDA in 2018. The FDA issued these letters in response to evidence that these companies were not following good manufacturing practices.

The FDA's recent warning letter to Dollar Tree stated that the company had contracted with manufacturers that received warning letters about poorly manufactured OTC drugs. Due to the violations of current good manufacturing practices, these medications are deemed adulterated.

The FDA requested that Dollar Tree implement a system to ensure that it no longer imports adulterated drugs.

Both health care providers and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events tied to any medication to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.

Written by Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS