Heparin Sodium, 1,000 USP Heparin Units/500 mL (2 USP Heparin Units/mL), In 0.9 percent Sodium Chloride Injection, 500 mL by Hospira: Recall - Particulate Matter

[Posted 09/12/2014]

AUDIENCE: Pharmacy, Risk Manager

ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. announced a voluntary nationwide user-level recall of one lot of Heparin Sodium, 1,000 USP Heparin Units/500 mL (2 USP Heparin Units/mL), in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 500 mL, NDC 0409-7620-03 Lot 41-046-JT with expiration date of 01NOV 2015. This action is due to one confirmed customer report of particulate in a single unit. The foreign particle was confirmed by Hospira as human hair, sealed between the tube and the film at the round seal of the unused Administrative Port on the non-print side of the container.

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.

BACKGROUND: The affected lot was distributed nationwide between June 2014 and August 2014 to wholesalers/distributors, hospitals and pharmacies.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should stop use and distribution and quarantine the product immediately. In addition, customers should inform potential users of this product in their organizations of this notification. Hospira will be notifying its direct distributors/customers via a recall letter and will arrange for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-855-201-4337 between the hours of 8am to 5pm ET, Monday through Friday.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

[09/11/2014 - Press Release - Hospira, Inc]