Marcaine (Bupivacaine HCI Injection, USP) 0.25 percent, 10 ml, Single-Dose, Preservative-Free Vial: Recall - Visible Particulates

AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Pharmacy

ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. announced a voluntary nationwide recall to the user level for one lot of 0.25% Marcaine (Bupivacaine HCl Injection, USP), 10 mL, Single-dose Vial – Preservative Free (NDC 0409-1559-10), Lot 34-440-DD. The recall is due to a confirmed customer report of discolored solution with visible particles embedded in the glass as well as discolored solution. Hospira has attributed the embedded particulate to a supplier’s glass defect.

If the particulate goes undetected and solution is administered, it could block administration of the drug to the patient, causing a delay in therapy. Other risks include local inflammation, mechanical disruption of tissue or immune response to the particulate.

BACKGROUND: Marcaine is packaged 10 units per carton/100 units per case in glass fliptop vials. The impacted lot of Marcaine was distributed December 2013 through January 2014 to wholesalers/distributors, hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Hospira is working with its supplier on implementing corrective and preventive actions.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should immediately stop use and quarantine any affected product. 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 returns processing. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-877-546-7642 (M-F, 8 a.m - 5 p.m. ET).

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