250 million insulin syringes recalled
Filed under: Company News, Healthcare
A Huntsville, Ala., company is recalling about 250 million Accusure insulin syringes it has distributed nationwide since January 2002 because the products' needles could detach from the syringes.Qualitest Pharmaceuticals has received about four complaints related to the needle detaching from the syringe, said Dr. Carole Ben-Maimon, senior vice president of corporate strategy for the company. No injuries resulting from the problem have been reported to the company, she said.
If the needle becomes detached from the syringe during use, it can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into the syringe, or remain in the skin after an injection, the company said.
The recall includes all Accusure insulin syringes, regardless of lot number. They were distributed from January 2002 to October 2009 to wholesale and retail pharmacies nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
The recall announced Tuesday expands an earlier one of two lots of Accusure insulin syringes. Ben-Maimon said the company expanded the recall to include all syringes because it received a complaint of a syringe not included in the first recall. The recalled syringes come from multiple manufacturers, she said.
The syringes could expire several years after they were sold on the market, she added.
Consumers who have these products should stop using them and contact the company at 800-444-4011 for more information. Adverse reactions can be reported to the Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-28-2009 @ 3:35PM
MyKisa said...
....another made in China product
Reply
10-28-2009 @ 8:48AM
MGordon514 said...
Four complaints. At this rate, we might as well recall everything that's ever been made.
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10-28-2009 @ 9:12AM
anne said...
I bet all those syringes were made in CHINA!
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10-28-2009 @ 10:52AM
abe said...
That was my first thought also
10-28-2009 @ 10:32AM
Pam said...
This is in response to McGordon who complained these needles were being recalled because of how he put it "only 4 complaints". My father has diabetes and just this year had a heart attack and a quadraple bypass surgery, in my eyes he as well as everyone else who has diabetes has suffered enough, they don't need to worry about whether the instrument they use to keep themselves healthy is going to fail on them. Obviously McGordon doesn't have to watch a family member inject themselves on a nightly basis as I do or he wouldn't be so in-sensitive!!!
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10-28-2009 @ 11:38AM
T2 said...
Very well put, Pam. I use 200+ syringes a month, and you are absolutely right; diabetics go through enough hell without adding to the worries. Thank you.
10-28-2009 @ 11:58AM
JOEY said...
The government will save them for rationed health care.
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10-28-2009 @ 12:59PM
Chuck said...
Is this going to be another common item where it appears that we have forgotten how to manufacture it properly in America? What is with that?
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10-28-2009 @ 1:33PM
buzz said...
So is this what we have gotten as a result of letting manufacturing in this country go to hell in a hand basket?
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10-28-2009 @ 6:44PM
Robert E. Macy said...
Have been using syringe needles for over 50 years and always had one fear, once the needle is inserted will it come out? Thank goodness it never happened.
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10-28-2009 @ 2:54PM
moleman said...
Don't think Obamacare hasn't been lining up Chinese suppliers to push "overpriced" American health related industries out.
Just another case of people wanting something for cheap prices and not looking at where it came from or the future drain on our manufacturing system. No different than going to wally world and buying something off the great wall'o china then b*tching that they are loosing there job at home.
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10-28-2009 @ 4:04PM
slystone said...
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh,,,, nothing like the feeling saving money..
Just some more 'Lean' concept put in place.
Corporate greed is alive and well.
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10-28-2009 @ 4:06PM
DeWhit6959 said...
Does anyone know how I can find out if the syringes are sold under any other names or thru other medical providers?? I have questioned several diabetic suppliers about why my mother's syringes are different brands and I have always been told by their customer rep's that the providers have the right to substitute brands as long as they meet the doctor specifications. Another problem that shouldn't be a problem. It's bad enough getting her part D med's from various so called pharmaceutical companys in India. When will it end ?
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10-28-2009 @ 10:04PM
MyKisa said...
....and San Fran Bridge falls apart with out sourced (china) metals
Reply