Tag Archives: Medical

Cook Medical Issues Global Recall Of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheter Products

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On July 2, 2015, Cook Medical initiated a lot-specific voluntary recall of 2,239 lots of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters. Globally, 95,167 devices are subject to this recall. The products include specific versions and lot numbers of the Torcon NB® Advantage Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNBR5.0), Royal Flush® Plus Beacon® Tip High-Flow Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNR4.0), and Slip-Cath® Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix SCBR5.0).

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters have been found to exhibit tip splitting or separation, which has resulted in adverse events. Cook has received 26 complaints of catheter-tip splitting and/or separation. There have been 14 Medical Device Reports to date in which a tip split or separation occurred.

Tip splitting has the potential to lead to loss of device function. Tip separation may require medical intervention to retrieve a separated segment or may occlude blood flow to end organs.

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters in this recall were distributed between June 2013 and June 2015. Product can be identified by the part number and lot number provided on the outer package product label. The lot numbers for products that are subject to this recall can be found on the following pages.

Cook Medical has notified its customers and distributors by recall notification letters. The letters requested that all customers and distributors quarantine and discontinue use of all potentially affected units and return the affected product to the company as soon as possible for credit.

FDA and other regulatory agencies around the world have been notified of this action.

The full list of recalled products can be found at the FDA web site.

Doctor refusing to treat child of gay couple not Biblical

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6764771_GDETROIT — According to a report by FOX Dertroit, a Dr. Vesna Roi apparently “prayed” and decided that she could not act as the pediatrician for the baby of a lesbian couple in Detroit in February.

Apparently, when the gay couple arrived at the pediatrician’s office, they claim:

“The first thing Dr. Karam said was ‘I’ll be your doctor, I’ll be seeing you today because Dr. Roi decided this morning that she prayed on it and she won’t be able to care for Bay,” Jami said.

This is an example of someone who has not studied their Bible. The question here is who is the sinner?

It is perfectly Constitutional and legitimate to refuse service to homosexual couples for a Christian. To not participate in so-called “marriage” ceremonies between such couples by providing photographic, bakery, flowers and other such services and the use of true Christian property is perfectly in compliance with the First Amendment. It should be noted that it does not matter if man calls this “marriage.” It is not. Only God sanctifies marriage and he has clearly defined the conditions.

The child of a homosexual couple is another matter entirely. Would you refuse to treat the baby of a couple who engages in identity theft? Would you, as a doctor, refuse to treat the brother, sister, mother or father of a homosexual couple? Yes, it is exactly the same thing.

Some point to Deuteronomy 5:9 which reads:

You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

You see, they say. God punishes the generations of sinners.

The observant of you may notice the comma at the end of this making it clause taken out of a greater thought. It continues in Deuteronomy 5:10:

And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

God is not the author of confusion. The second clause means that if a child of a sinner turns to God, he—or she—will certainly be accepted. A child can break the curse of the parents. Indeed, even the parents can be saved should they chose to be.

There have been instances of children brought up in the home of a homosexual couple rejecting their “parents” lifestyle, in fact.

This is expressed in Ezekiel 18:20:

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Dr. Roi might well believe that she is following the dictates of God, but I believe it not to be so. The Bible is as clear on this matter as it is on the sin of homosexuality. Particularly with children who have not reached the age of discernment.

Ultra ZX LABS, L.L.C. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Ultra ZX

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300-ultraZX-1MIAMI, Fl — UltraZx, Labs, L.L.C. is voluntarily recalling “UltraZx” weight loss supplements. This product has been found to contain undeclared Sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

FDA laboratory analysis of confirmed that UltraZx contains sibutramine and phenolphthalein. Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. Phenolphthalein is a chemical that is not an active ingredient in any approved drug in the United States. Studies have indicated that it presents a cancer causing risk. This product may also interact, in life-threating ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Ultra ZX LABS, L.L.C. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall. UltraZx weight loss supplement is marketed as a dietary supplement used as a weight loss aid and is packaged in bottles of thirty (30) capsules of 300mg. The affected UltraZx weight loss supplement, includes all lots/bottles/packages. The products were distributed from September 2014 until February 2015.

UltraZx Labs, L.L.C. is notifying its distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers and distributors that have product which is being recalled should stop using the product and return the product to UltraZx Labs, L.L.C.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact UltraZx Labs, L.L.C. at (305) 904-9393, Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm EST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Heritage Pharmaceuticals Initiates a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Colistimethate for Injection

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heritage-1

Eatontown, NJ, Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Heritage) today announced the voluntary nationwide recall of ten (10) lots of Colistimethate for Injection, USP, 150 mg Single-Dose vial (NDC 23155-193-31) and three (3) lots of Rifampin for Injection, USP, 600 mg Single-Dose vial (NDC 23155-340-31) manufactured by Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and distributed by Heritage. Both products are sold in single vial mono-cartons in case packs of ten (10). Heritage has initiated this voluntary recall of Colistimethate for Injection, USP, 150 mg Single-Dose vial and Rifampin for Injection USP, 600 mg Single-Dose vial to the user level due to FDA observations pertaining to aseptic and GMP practices at the manufacturer’s site potentially impacting product sterility.

Intravenous administration of non-sterile injection products to a normally sterile site may result in a site-specific or systemic infection, which in turn may cause hospitalization, significant morbidity (permanent organ damage), or fatal outcome. To date, Heritage is not aware of any adverse patient events resulting from the use of the subject product lots.

The lot numbers with expiry date being recalled are: Colistimethate for Injection

Lot No.
VCOA002
VCOA003
VCOA004
VCOA005
VCOA006
VCOA007
VCOA008
VCOA009
VCOA010
VCOA011		 Exp. Date
9/30/2014
10/31/2014
10/31/2014
1/31/2015
3/31/2015
9/30/2015
12/31/2015
2/29/2016
10/31/2016
10/31/2016

Rifampin for Injection

Lot No.
VRIA002
VRIA003
VRIA004		 Exp. Date
8/31/2016
9/30/2016
9/30/2016

The products were distributed to hospitals, wholesalers and distributors nationwide from December 2012 through January 2015 (Colistimethate) and from October 2014 through January 2015 (Rifampin). Colistimethate is indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic infections due to sensitive strains of certain gram-negative bacteria. Rifampin is indicated for the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis.

Customers are being notified by fax, email, UPS, and/or certified mail that includes arrangements for return of all recalled product. Customers have been instructed to examine their inventory immediately and to quarantine, discontinue distribution of, and return the recalled lots of product. Customers who may have further distributed these products have been requested to identify their customers and notify them at once of this product recall.

Any questions about returning unused product should be directed to the customer call center at (866) 901-1230 M-F 9am-5pm EST. Healthcare workers who have medical questions about Colistimethate for Injection, USP, 150 mg base/vial and Rifampin for Injection USP, 600 mg/vial may contact Heritage Medical Affairs (732-429-1000, Ext. 101) M-F 9am-5pm EST.

Sagent Pharmaceuticals Initiates a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Atracurium Besylate Injection

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FDA-Recall-MedSchaumburg, ILLINOIS – Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the voluntary nationwide recall of two lots of Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 50mg/5mL single-dose vials (NDC 25021-659-05) and four lots of Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 100mg/10mL multi-dose vials (NDC 25021-672-10) manufactured by Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and distributed by Sagent. Sagent has initiated this voluntary recall of Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 50mg/5mL and 100mg/10mL to the user level due to FDA observations pertaining to aseptic and GMP practices at the manufacturer’s site potentially impacting product sterility. Non-sterility of a drug administered via the intravenous route has the potential to result in infections, which could be fatal, especially in patients who are immunocompromised. Sagent has transferred the manufacture of this product to its own facility and this product manufactured at the Sagent facility will not be impacted by the recall.

Sagent is not aware of any adverse patient events resulting from the use of the subject product lots.

The lot numbers being recalled are VATA012, VATA015 (50mg/5mL) and VATB012, VATB013, VATB014, VATB017 (100mg/10mL) which were distributed to hospitals, wholesalers and distributors nationwide from February 2014 through February 2015. Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 50mg/5mL and 100mg/10mL is indicated, as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation, and is supplied in single-dose and multi-dose vials.

Customers are being notified by fax, email, FedEx, and/or certified mail that includes arrangements for return of all recalled product. Customers have been instructed to examine their inventory immediately and to quarantine, discontinue distribution of and return the recalled lots of product. Customers who may have further distributed this product have been requested to identify their customers and notify them at once of this product recall. The necessary form by which to document this information as well as other information regarding this recall is available at www.Sagentpharma.comdisclaimer icon.

Any questions about returning unused product should be directed to the customer call center at (866) 625-1618 M-F 8am-7pm CST. Healthcare workers who have medical questions about Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP may contact Sagent Medical Affairs (866-625-1618, Option 3) M-F 8am-5pm CST.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Hospira Issues a Voluntary Global Recall of Multiple Lots of Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection

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Hospira_logoLAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira, Inc., (NYSE: HSP) has announced a voluntary recall of ketorolac tromethamine injection, USP in the United States and Singapore due to potential particulate. The presence of particulate has been confirmed through a customer report of visible, floating particulate identified in glass fliptop vials. The particulate was identified as calcium-ketorolac crystals. Multiple lots are impacted by this recall; refer to the addendum for product list and lot information.

If particulates are not observed prior to administration, intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) administration theoretically could result in localized inflammation, allergic reaction, granuloma formation or microembolic effects (IV only). However, there is no evidence indicating that IM or IV injection of inert particles results in harm to patients when only a small amount over a limited period of time is administered as is the case with ketorolac. Delay of therapy may occur due to particulates blocking the infusion of solution or due to observation of particulates at the point of care. However, this delay is likely to be of negligible clinical significance as this medication is administered by a health care provider and remediation is readily available.

The lots were distributed from February 2013 to December 2014 in the United States and from January 2014 to July 2014 in Singapore. Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for these lots to date. Hospira has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions.

Anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lots should stop use and distribution, and quarantine the product immediately. This recall is being carried out to the medical facility/retail level. Customers who have further distributed the recalled product should notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received the recalled product and instruct them if they have redistributed the product to notify their accounts, locations or facilities to the medical facility/retail level. Hospira has notified its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle in the United States. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-888-345-4680 between the hours of 8am to 5pm ET, Monday through Friday. Customers outside the United States should work with their local Hospira offices to return the product per the local recall notification.

For clinical inquiries, please contact Hospira using the information provided below.

Hospira Contact Contact Information Areas of Support
Hospira Global Complaint Management 1-800-441-4100 (8am-5pm CT, M-F) (ProductComplaintsPP@hospira.com) To report adverse events
or product complaints
Hospira Medical Communications 1-800-615-0187 or medcom@hospira.com (Available 24 hours a day/7 days per week) Medical inquiries

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Hospira Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Sodium Chloride Injection

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ucm430936LAKE FOREST, Ill., — Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), announced today it will initiate a voluntary nationwide recall of one lot of  0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 250 mL (NDC 0409-7983-02, Lot 44-002-JT, Expiry 1AUG2016) to the user level due to one confirmed customer report of particulate in a single unit. Hospira has identified the particulate as a human hair, sealed in the bag at the additive port area. To date, Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for this lot.

In the unlikely event that the particulate breaks and pieces are able to pass through the intravenous catheter, injected particulate material may result in local inflammation, phlebitis, and/or low-level allergic response. Capillaries which may be as small as the size of a red blood cell, approximately seven microns in diameter, may become occluded. Patients with preexisting condition of trauma or other medical condition that adversely affects the microvascular blood supply are at an increased risk.

This lot was distributed nationwide from September 2014 through November 2014. Hospira has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions.

Anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lot should stop use and distribution and quarantine the product immediately. Customers should notify all users in their facility. Customers who have further distributed the recalled product should notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received the recalled product and instruct them if they have redistributed the product to notify their accounts, locations or facilities to the consumer level. Hospira has notified its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle in the United States. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-877-877-0164 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Hospira will provide allocation credits and make replacement product available for contracted customers.

For clinical inquiries, please contact Hospira using the information provided below.

Hospira Contact Contact Information Areas of Support
Hospira Global Complaint Management 1-800-441-4100 (8am-5pm CT, M-F)
(ProductComplaintsPP@hospira.com)		 To report adverse events
or product complaints
Hospira Medical
Communications		 1-800-615-0187 or medcom@hospira.com
(Available 24 hours a day/7 days per week)		 Medical Inquiries

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Alere Initiates Voluntary URGENT CORRECTION for Use of Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitor System

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WALTHAM, Mass. – Alere Inc. (NYSE:ALR) has initiated a voluntary correction to inform U.S. users of the Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitor system of certain medical conditions that should not be tested with the system (INRatio® Monitor or INRatio®2 Monitor and INRatio® Test Strips). In certain cases an INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitor system may provide an INR result that is clinically significantly lower than a result obtained using a reference INR system (laboratory method). This issue can arise if the patient has certain medical conditions or can occur if the instructions in the labelling for performing the test are not followed.

The INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitor system should not be used on patients with any of the following conditions:

  • Anemia of any type with hematocrit less than 30%
  • Any conditions associated with elevated fibrinogen levels including:
    • Acute inflammatory conditions (examples may include acute viral or bacterial infections such as pneumonia or influenza)
    • Chronic inflammatory conditions (examples may include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infectious liver diseases such as hepatitis, or inflammatory kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis)
    • Severe infection (e.g., sepsis)
    • Chronically elevated fibrinogen for any reason
    • Hospitalized or advanced stage cancer or end stage renal disease patients requiring hemodialysis
  • Any bleeding or unusual bruising, clinically observed or reported by the patient

Patients with any of the conditions listed above should immediately be transitioned to a laboratory INR method for monitoring their INR and warfarin therapy.

In addition, healthcare professionals and patient self-testers should adhere to the following precautions in order to obtain the most accurate results:

In addition to the precautions outlined above, Alere also recommends that patients have periodic verification of their INR using a laboratory INR method. Any patient having a significant discrepant low result on the INRatio® and INRatio®2 monitor system as compared to the plasma-based laboratory INR method should immediately be transitioned to an alternative method for monitoring their INR and warfarin therapy. Significant discrepancy in INR results may lead to a delay in an urgent medical decision to reverse a supratherapeutic INR level following the established guidelines for monitoring warfarin therapy. Such discrepancies are of particular concern when the erroneous INR result is within the therapeutic range but the actual value is supratherapeutic, i.e., when the actual INR value is 6 or greater.

Alere also recommends that patients be tested to verify that their hematocrit falls within the range of 30% to 55%. Patients with hematocrit outside this range should be immediately transitioned to a plasma-based laboratory INR monitoring method.

Alere is working on an improvement to the current INRatio® and INRatio®2 meter, which will serve to mitigate further the potential for these discrepant results.

As part of its commitment to ensuring the safety of patients, Alere has reported these device concerns to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is conducting a thorough investigation into these events.

Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact Alere at 1-877-929-2579. For additional information on the recall, including a list of product part numbers affected by the recall, customers should go to www.inr-care.com.

Adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About the Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Professional Monitoring System
The Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Professional Monitoring System, consisting of the Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitor and the Alere™ INRatio® Test Strip, is intended for use in the quantitative determination of International Normalized Ratio (INR) in fresh capillary whole blood to monitor the effect of warfarin on clotting time by health care professionals. The Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Professional Monitoring System is intended for use outside of the body (in vitro diagnostic use). The Alere INRatio® and INRatio®2 PT/INR Monitoring System is not intended to be used for screening purposes and is not intended for use in patients who are transitioning from heparin treatment to warfarin therapy.

For more information on Alere, please visit www.alere.com.

Recall of Northstar Label Gabapentin Capsules

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ucm424493Dayton, NJ, Aurobindo Pharma USA is voluntarily recalling lot GESB14011-A of Gabapentin Capsules, USP 300 mg 100-count bottles to the consumer level. The product lot has been found to contain some empty capsules.

Empty capsules could result in missed dose(s) of gabapentin resulting in adverse health consequences that could range from no effect, short term reduction in efficacy, short term withdrawal effect, or status epilepticus (long period seizures) that could be life-threatening. Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall to date, but has received four complaints for empty capsules.

Gabapentin is used as in the treatment of epilepsy and for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles). The affected Gabapentin lot is GESB14011-A, Expiration 12/2015 and is packaged in 100-count bottles, NDC 16714-662-01. The product can be identified by the imprint D on yellow cap and 03 on yellow body with black edible ink. Product was distributed through Northstar label to retail outlets nationwide.

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. is notifying its distributors and customers by recall letters and is arranging for return of all recalled product. Consumers, distributors, and retailers that have product which is being recalled should stop using, distributing, or dispensing the affected lot and return to place of purchase.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Aurobindo Pharma USA Pharmacovigilance group at (732) 839-9400 Option 2 or PVG@aurobindousa.com Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM EST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

AMS Health Sciences, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex

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101031Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — AMS Health Sciences, LLC is notifying the public that it is recalling 2014 bottles of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex due to possible contamination of Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. To date, no illness or complaints have been reported to AMS Health Sciences, LLC.

A single lot of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex is the subject of this public announcement and recall as a result of a sample from one bottle that tested positive for Salmonella. This product is packaged in black screw-top bottles with the brand name “saba” in red letters, the product name “shark cartilage complex” in white letters, and a net quantity statement of “500 mg 60 capsules” in small white letters. Product from the affected lot can be identified by the Lot Number 416349 and an expiration date of 08/16, both of which are printed in black letters inside a white rectangle that is adjacent to the products “Suggested Use” instructions.

Product from this lot was sold to consumers through the internet site www.sabaforlife.com during the period of February through August 2014. AMS is initiating this recall out of caution for consumer health, even though numerous samples from the same Lot No. have tested negative for Salmonella.

Any consumer who purchased product with the lot number and expiration date above should dispose of it immediately and may request a refund by calling (866) 758-7222, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Central). If you have consumed the product and are experiencing any unusual or severe symptoms such as those described above, go to an emergency room immediately or contact your physician for immediate advice.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.