Pfizer recalls Lipitor for a third time since August due to moldy smell

For the third time in as many months, Pfizer has issued a recall of its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor in response to consumer complaints of unusual moldy odor.

The drug giant said the smell poses minimal health risk to patients, but it is recalling two lots -- approximately 38,000 bottles of Lipitor 40mg tablets -- out of caution. An internal company investigation, triggered by two customer complaints, found the odor was related to Tribromoanisole, a chemical used as a wood preservative. Pfizer suggested a third-party bottle manufacturer had applied it to packaging for the shipment of its medicines.