Any pharmacists about? Red crosses on medication from chemists

[LittleMissneedshelp]

My friend has taken some migraine medication yesterday and has been really ill today, she mentioned to me that she noticed there were red crosses on the packaging but when she checked her other packs they didn't have it on.

She's really worried now as she wonders if there is something wrong with the tablets, I don't have a photo or anything just a description she gave me, so I just wondered if anyone knew anything? Thanks

In our pharmacy the red crosses just signal that the box wasn’t full. There won’t be anything wrong, don’t worry.

Nothing wrong with the tablets. Some pharmacies mark boxes to show they are not complete packs. For example, if the medication comes in packs of 28 and somebody brings a prescription for 30, they take 2 from another pack and mark the incomplete pack left on the shelf, so it's clear that it doesn't contain what is written on the original pack. Your friend should still be able to see expiry dates on all of the inner packaging though, and could go back to question this if not

In our branch crosses on all faces indicate a spilt pack. If she's worried, she can double check the blister inside is correct.

It's from a split pack- eg. If there are 28 tablets in a box, and someone has a prescription for 14 tablets, they will take a strip of 14 out leaving 14 in a pack. Once you close the pack you can't tell which pack has 14 tabs in, so draw crosses on so you know which is the 'split pack' so that a patient isn't accidentally given the wrong quantity of medication.

Hopefully that makes sense it's nothing to worry about and doesn't mean there is something wrong with the pack

That's great thank you that will put her mind at rest