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Cefazolin for Injection USP 1 g - May Contain Foreign Particulate Matter and Sterility May be Compromised
- Starting date:
- February 13, 2015
- Posting date:
- February 13, 2015
- Type of communication:
- Dear Healthcare Professional Letter
- Subcategory:
- Drugs
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Suspected quality concern
- Audience:
- Hospitals
- Identification number:
- RA-43729
Audiences
Please distribute to the relevant Departments (Surgery, Emergency, Pharmacy, Paediatrics, Anaesthesia/PACU, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Nursing, Intensive Care, Day hospital, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Urology, Labor-Delivery/Post Partum, Oncology, Burn Units), Homecare Programmes, Clinics and other involved professional staff and post this notice in all relevant areas of your institution.
Key messages
- Two lots of Cefazolin for Injection USP 1 g (lots 117E006 and 117E005) manufactured by Hospira and distributed in Canada by Apotex Inc., are being voluntarily recalled , due to the potential presence of foreign particulate matter.
- Inadvertent injection of foreign particulate matter and the potential that sterility has been compromised for these lots could result in risks to health.
- Vials of the affected lots should not be used and should be returned as outlined in the Recall Notice. Health care professionals are advised to remain vigilant in their follow up of patients that have used the impacted lots.
Issue
This recall is resulting from a complaint received in Canada related to the presence of foreign particulate matter. Presence of foreign particulate matter in vials of the affected lots and the potential for breach of sterility pose the following risks if injected: local inflammation, phlebitis, allergic response and/or embolization in the body, and infection.
Products affected
Product Name | DIN | Strength | PKG Format | LOT Number | EXP. Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cefazolin for Injection USP 1 g | 02297205 | 1g | 10 mL | 117E006 | March 2016 |
117E005 |
Background information
Cefazolin is indicated in the treatment of the infections caused by susceptible strains of organisms and affecting: the respiratory tract, the urinary tract, the skin and skin structures, the biliary tract, the bones and joints, genitals, as well as for septicemia, endocarditis, perioperative prophylaxis. Hospira has initiated an investigation to further determine the root cause related to this issue and will implement necessary corrective and preventive actions.
Who is affected
Information for consumers
Consumers should discuss with their health care professional if they need more information.
Information for health care professionals
Please inform health care professionals in your organization of this recall notification. If your institution has distributed this product further, notify your consignees that they may have received the product identified above and ask them to follow the instructions provided in the Recall Notice attached.
Action taken by Health Canada
Health Canada is communicating this important safety information to healthcare professionals through its MedEffect Canada website. Health Canada is also monitoring the recall and the implementation of necessary corrective and preventive actions.
Report health or safety concerns
Managing marketed health product-related side effects depends on health care professionals and consumers reporting them. Any case of serious local inflammation, phlebitis, allergic response and/or embolization in the body or other serious or unexpected infection or side effects in patients receiving Cefazolin for Injection 1g should be reported to Apotex or Health Canada.
Apotex Inc.
150 Signet Drive,
Toronto (Ontario) M9L 1T9
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 1-800-667-4708
Fax: 1-416-401-3819
Email: Drugsafety@apotex.com
To correct your mailing address or fax number, contact Apotex Inc.
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
-
Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345; or
- Visiting MedEffect Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax
For other health product inquiries related to this communication, contact Health Canada at:
Health and Product and Food Branch Inspectorate (HPFBI)
E-mail: DCVIU_UVCEM@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 1-800-267-9675
Fax: 1-613-946-5636
Rania Al-Ammar
Regional Director, Commercial Quality
Hospira Healthcare Corporation