Hospira Lactated Ringer's And 5% Dextrose Injection, 1000 ML, Flexible Containers: Recall (One Lot) - Mold Contamination

AUDIENCE: Pharmacy, Risk Manager

ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. announced it is initiating a voluntary nationwide user-level recall of one lot of Lactated Ringers and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, 1000 mL, Flexible Container, NDC 0409-7929-09, Lot 35-118-JT, Expiry 1NOV2015 . This action is due to one confirmed customer report where particulate was identified within the solution of the primary container. The particulate was identified as a filamentous-like structured particulate indicative of mold. Analysis of the primary container and overwrap indicated a puncture in the same physical location, causing the primary container to leak.

Intravenous administration of a non-sterile product can result in infections that may be life-threatening, and may result in prolonged hospitalization or organ failure. Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for this lot to date, and has not identified any quality issues with retention samples for this lot.

BACKGROUND: The product is indicated for parenteral replacement of extracellular losses of fluid and electrolytes, with or without minimal carbohydrate calories, as required by the clinical condition of the patient. The product is packaged in 1000mL flexible containers, 1 container per overwrap, and 12 overwrapped containers in each case. The lot number is located in the upper left hand side of the primary container. This lot was distributed nationwide from December 2013 through February 2014 and was distributed to hospitals, clinics, wholesalers and distributors.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should stop use and distribution, quarantine the product immediately, and call Stericycle at 1-888-912-8457 between the hours of 8am to 5pm EST, Monday through Friday, to arrange for the return of the product.

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.