ISSUE: Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is voluntarily recalling 42 lots of 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP, 50 mL vials, 5 lots of NeutTM (Sodium Bicarbonate 4% additive solution) 5 mL vials, 5 lots of QUELICINTM (Succinylcholine Chloride Injection, USP) 200 mg/10 mL vials and 7 lots of Potassium Phosphates Injection, USP, 45 mM vials to the hospital/retail level due to microbial growth detected during a routine simulation of the manufacturing process, which represents the potential introduction of microorganisms into the products. Please view the recall notice for a list of the affected lot numbers.
In the event that impacted product is administered to a patient, there is a reasonable probability that the patient may experience adverse events ranging from fever, chills and malaise, to severe adverse events including systemic invasive mycoses or systemic bacterial sepsis. The possibility of a breach in sterility assurance in distributed product, while remote, cannot be eliminated. No batches of distributed product have been identified as actually containing microorganisms. To date, Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue.
These lots were distributed nationwide in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), Dutch Antilles, Barbados, Canada, Philippines, Kuwait, and Singapore to wholesalers and hospitals from January to June 2017. Hospira has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions.
Pfizer is working diligently to restore supply of these products and is in communication with the FDA to address any supply issues.
BACKGROUND: Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis; in the treatment of certain drug intoxications, in poisoning by salicylates or methyl alcohol and in certain hemolytic reactions. Sodium bicarbonate is indicated in severe diarrhea, which is often accompanied by significant loss of bicarbonate. NeutTM (4% sodium bicarbonate additive solution) is indicated for use as an additive to raise the pH of acid solutions administered intravenously to reduce the incidence of chemical phlebitis and patient discomfort due to vein irritation at or near the site of infusion.
QuelicinTM (Succinylcholine Chloride Injection, USP) is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.
Potassium Phosphates Injection, USP 3 mM P/mL (millimoles/mL) is indicated as a source of phosphorus, for addition to large volume intravenous fluids, to prevent or correct hypophosphatemia in patients with restricted or no oral intake. It is also useful as an additive for preparing specific intravenous fluid formulas when the needs of the patient cannot be met by standard electrolyte or nutrient solutions.
RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lots should stop use and distribution and quarantine immediately. Inform Healthcare Professionals in your organization of this recall. If you have further distributed the recalled product, please notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received the recalled product from you. Further, please instruct entities that may have received the recalled product from you that if they redistributed the product, they should notify their accounts, locations or facilities of the recall to the hospital/retail level. Hospira will be notifying its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle in the United States. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-800-805-3093 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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
- 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.
To read the MedWatch Safety Alert, including links to the recall notice, go to: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm563382
