Recent News

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services received the following news release regarding the recall of 19 lots of carboplatin, cytarabine, paclitaxel, and methotrexate due to visible particles embedded in the glass located at the neck of the vial. There may be potential for product to come into contact with the embedded particles and the particles may become dislodged into the solution. In the event in which particulate matter could be injected into a patient, there may be the potential for patient injury where medical intervention may be required. Signs and symptoms might include bleeding, bruising, inflammation, itching, rash, chest pain and respiratory symptoms.

These products are packaged in vials and are used to treat various types of cancer. In addition, methotrexate is also used to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. These products were distributed nationwide to wholesalers and direct customers.

Anyone with an existing inventory in the United States should stop use and distribution, quarantine the product immediately and call Stericycle at 1-888-628-0734, between the hours of 8am to 5pm EDT, Monday through Friday, to arrange for the return of the product. Customers can call Hospira Customer Care at 1-877-976-7747, between the hours of 8am to 5pm CDT, Monday through Friday, to order replacement product.

The full recall can be found at www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm311971.htm?source=govdelivery.