Drug Recalls
Navitus is committed to providing high quality services to its members and, as part of this commitment, strives to protect member safety. We have created policies and procedures in the event of drug recalls or situations that pose a threat to the health and safety of our members. We monitor these situations closely and follow the guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Recent drug recalls include:- Date:
- Dec 24, 2024
- Recall:
- Tacrolimus and Tacrolimus Extended-Release capsules
- Details:
-
Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (Head of US Commercial: Michael Petroutsas, "Astellas") is voluntarily recalling one lot of PROGRAF® 0.5mg (tacrolimus) and one lot of ASTAGRAF XL® 0.5mg (tacrolimus extended-release) capsules to the consumer level. These products are being recalled because bottles may contain empty capsules.
Risk Statement
Transplant patients who consume empty PROGRAF or ASTAGRAF XL capsules may experience initiation of rejection of the transplanted organ, tissue, or cells, due to underimmunosuppression. In the case of life sustaining organ transplants such as a heart transplant (for which there is no permanent substitute such as hemodialysis in the case of a failed kidney transplant) if the transplant fails, the consequences of rejection initiated by ingesting empty capsules may be fatal. To date, Astellas has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.
- FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Dec 20, 2024
- Recall:
- Adrenalin Chloride Solution
- Details:
-
Endo, Inc announced today that one of its operating subsidiaries, Endo USA, Inc., is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Adrenalin® Chloride Solution (EPINEPHrine nasal solution, USP) 30mg/30mL (1mg/mL) 30 mL vials, to the consumer level. This product, which pre-dates the 1938 Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, was never submitted for approval by the FDA, and as such, is an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy have not been established and, therefore, subject to recall. In addition, FDA has determined the product to be misbranded with a misleading label similar in appearance to the FDA-approved drug product Adrenalin® (epinephrine injection, USP) (1mg/mL) 30mL vial, also produced by Endo USA, Inc.
Both products are distributed to hospitals and healthcare systems for use by healthcare professionals. The similarity in labeling makes it difficult to distinguish between the non-sterile topical and sterile injectable product which can lead to potential administration errors. This recall does not include the approved Adrenalin® (epinephrine injection, USP) (1mg/mL) 30mL vial.
Risk Statement: Intravenous administration of the unapproved non-sterile topical Adrenalin® Chloride Solution (EPINEPHrine nasal solution, USP), instead of the approved sterile Adrenalin® (epinephrine injection, USP) (1mg/mL) 30mL vial for injection, would result in non-fatal serious and/or severe, health outcomes related to delayed or inadequate treatment of the underlying condition (anaphylaxis, hemodynamic instability, hypotension) or infection due to intravenous administration of a non-sterile product. In addition, there is a high probability that intravenous administration of the nasal product will result in patients receiving the wrong dose of epinephrine in emergency situations for serious, life-threatening conditions such as the treatment of anaphylaxis, blood pressure support, and cardiac arrest. If these events are not treated with the correct dose of epinephrine, patients may be at risk for death.
- FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Nov 19, 2024
- Recall:
- Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP (C-IV)
- Details:
-
Endo, Inc. (OTCQX: NDOI) (“Endo”) announced today that one of its operating subsidiaries, Endo USA, Inc., is expanding its previously announced voluntary recall of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP (C-IV) due to potential product carton strength mislabeling.
Specifically, Endo’s ongoing investigation has identified the possibility that the Clonazepam product lots listed below contain a limited number of cartons printed with the incorrect strength and National Drug Code (NDC) code due to an error by a third-party packager. The blister strips and tablets inside the product pack reflect the correct strength for the lot.
- FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Oct 16, 2024
- Recall:
- Ascorbic Acid Solution for Injection
- Details:
-
STASKA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. is voluntarily recalling 1 lot of Ascorbic Acid Solution for Injection (Preservative Free, Non-Corn) 500mg/mL, 50mL vials to the user level. This is due to the presence of glass particulates in one lot of vials used in the production of this batch.
The administration of an injectable product containing particulate matter may result in local irritation or swelling. The particulate matter could travel through and block blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke and even lead to death. The frequency and severity of these adverse events could vary depending upon a variety of factors including the size and number of particles in the drug product, patient comorbidities, and the presence or absence of vascular anomalies. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Sep 23, 2024
- Recall:
- Veklury (remdesivir) for Injection
- Details:
-
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced it is issuing a voluntary recall of one lot of Veklury® (remdesivir) for Injection 100 mg/vial, to the consumer level. Gilead received a customer complaint and confirmed the presence of a glass particle in the vial during the company's investigation.
Risk Statement: The administration of an injectable product that contains glass particles may result in local irritation or swelling in response to the foreign material. The glass particulate can potentially travel, through the blood vessels, to various organs and block blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke and even lead to death. To date, Gilead has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Sep 18, 2024
- Recall:
- Atovaquone Oral Suspension, 750 mg/mL
- Details:
-
Princeton, NJ, Bionpharma Inc. is voluntarily recalling (1) single Batch (2310083) of Atovaquone Oral Suspension, 750mg per mL to the consumer level. The product was manufactured by CoreRx, Inc. in Clearwater, FL and distributed by Bionpharma Inc. The product was found to be contaminated with Cohnella bacteria.
Risk Statement: In the population most at risk, immunocompromised population, there is a reasonable probability that microbial contamination of Atovaquone Oral Suspension can result in disseminated, life threatening infections such as inflammation of the heart and permanent damage to soft tissue. To date, Bionpharma has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Aug 8, 2024
- Recall:
- 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection USP 1000 mL in E3 containers
- Details:
-
Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun), is voluntarily recalling two (2) lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection USP 1000 mL in E3 containers within the United States to the consumer level. The voluntary recall has been initiated due to the potential for particulate matter and fluid leakage of the respective containers.
The affected batches were inadvertently released to the market prior to the completion of the required acceptance activities for embedded particulate matter which may result in leakage. To date, there have been no customer complaints received and there have been no reports of serious injury or death associated with this issue.
Risk Statement: There is a reasonable probability of embolic phenomena such as stroke or ischemia/infarct to other organs and possible infection if these particulates are not sterile that could lead to permanent damage or impairment of body function which could be life-threatening. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Aug 6, 2024
- Recall:
- Heparin Sodium in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
- Details:
-
Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling one lot of Heparin Sodium in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to the consumer level due to the potential for elevated endotoxin levels based on issues related to the bacterial endotoxin test specific to lot number N008235.
Use of heparin with higher than acceptable endotoxin levels may lead to significant adverse health consequences ranging from febrile reactions to toxic shock, multi-organ failure and death. To date, Baxter has not received any reports of adverse events related to this issue. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Jul 16, 2024
- Recall:
- Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets
- Details:
-
Endo, Inc (OTCQX: NDOI) (“Endo”), announced today that one of its operating subsidiaries, Endo USA, Inc., is voluntarily recalling one lot of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP (C-IV) 0.25 mg tablets, which may also appear as Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP (C-IV) 0.125 tablets 60-count pack to the consumer level.
The product lot is being recalled due to mislabeling where an incorrect strength appears on the cartons of some packs to show the product strength as 0.125 mg and not 0.25 mg due to an error at a third-party packager. The blister strips inside the product pack reflect the correct strength of 0.25 mg.
Risk Statement: Children and adults who are inadvertently prescribed a two-fold overdose of clonazepam would be at risk for the adverse effects of significant sedation, dizziness, ataxia, and confusion. There is reasonable probability for significant, possibly life-threatening, respiratory depression especially for patients with concomitant pulmonary disease, patients who have prescribed dosing near maximal dosing, and patients also taking other medications that could cause additional respiratory depression. To date, Endo has not received any reports of adverse events associated with this product lot recall. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Jun 25, 2024
- Recall:
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules
- Details:
-
American Health Packaging on behalf of BluePoint Laboratories is voluntarily recalling 21 batches of Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP (750 mg) 10 mEq K, to the consumer level. The product is being recalled because of failed dissolution.
Risk Statement: The failed dissolution of potassium chloride extended-release capsules may cause high potassium levels, also known as hyperkalemia, which can result in irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest. For patients who require chronic use of potassium chloride extended-release oral capsules, especially in those patients with underlying comorbidities or conditions that cause altered excretory mechanisms for potassium such as hypertension, heart failure, or renal dysfunction, there is a reasonable probability of developing hyperkalemia that may lead to a range of severity of adverse events from being asymptomatic to more severe potential life threatening adverse events of hyperkalemia such as cardiac arrythmias, severe muscle weakness, and death. To date, the firm has not received any reports of hyperkalemia or serious adverse events from spontaneous sources related to this recall. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- Jun 24, 2024
- Recall:
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules
- Details:
-
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, Mahwah, NJ is voluntarily recalling 114 batches of Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP (750 mg) 10 mEq K, to the consumer level. The product is being recalled because of failed dissolution.
Risk Statement: The failed dissolution of potassium chloride extended release capsules may cause high potassium levels, also known as hyperkalemia, which can result in irregular heart beat that can lead to cardiac arrest. For patients who require chronic use of potassium chloride extended-release oral capsules, especially in those patients with underlying comorbidities or conditions that cause altered excretory mechanisms for potassium such as hypertension, heart failure, or renal dysfunction, there is a reasonable probability of developing hyperkalemia that may lead to a range of severity of adverse events from being asymptomatic to more severe potential life threatening adverse events of hyperkalemia such as cardiac arrythmias, severe muscle weakness, and death. To date, the firm has not received any reports of hyperkalemia or serious adverse events from spontaneous sources related to this recall. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- May 29, 2024
- Recall:
- Docetaxel Injection, USP (80 mg per 8 mL multi-dose vials and 160 mg per 16 mL multi-dose vials)
- Details:
-
Pharmaceuticals today announced the voluntary nationwide recall of two lots of Docetaxel Injection, USP (80 mg per 8 mL multi-dose vials and 160 mg per 16 mL multi-dose vials). The product was distributed by Sagent Pharmaceuticals. Sagent has initiated this voluntary recall of Docetaxel Injection, USP to the User Level as the result of a customer complaint due to potential presence of particulate matter from the stopper in the drug product.
Risk Statement: Intravenous administration of an injectable product that contains particulate matter may result in serious adverse events. Potential complications related to injection of particles include inflammation of a vein, granuloma, and blockage of blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke or life-threatening blood clot events. The frequency and severity of these adverse events could vary depending upon a variety of factors including the size and number of particles in the drug product, patient comorbidities (such as age, compromised organ function), and presence or absence of vascular anomalies. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
- Date:
- May 22, 2024
- Recall:
- Buprenorphine Hydrochloride Injection Carpuject Units and Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection, USP Carpuject Units
- Details:
-
Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company (“Pfizer”), is voluntarily recalling the lots listed in the table below of Buprenorphine Hydrochloride Injection CarpujectTM Units and Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection, USP CarpujectTM Units to the User level. The recall was initiated due to the potential for incomplete crimp seals; one customer complaint has been received for one leaking unit.
In the event that impacted products are administered to a patient, there is a potential for an increased risk of lack of therapeutic effect and systemic infection that may result in the need for additional medical treatment. To date, Pfizer has not received reports of any relevant adverse events associated with this issue for these lots. - FDA Link:
- Read more info at FDA.gov
Disclaimer: Navitus Health Solutions, LLC is a transparent Pharmacy Benefit Manager for a variety of health care plans. Navitus is not owned or operated by an entity related to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Navitus is also not responsible for the manufacture, distribution or recall of any medication. This notification is meant solely to provide information to our clients, members and policyholders, regarding the various recalls of medications by the FDA. Navitus assumes no liability for the information contained in these notifications.