Insulin Syringe Recall

Friday, November 14, 2008 by: Patty Donovan
Tags: insulin, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) On Wednesday, November 6, 2008, US health officials notified doctors and patients of a recall of insulin syringes. The FDA is aware of this recall. The ReliON single use syringes are manufactured by Tycol Healthcare Group LP (Covidien)and could pose a serious risk of insulin overdose to patients using these syringes. The involved syringes are:
ReliOn 31 gauge 1 cc syringes with lot number 813900 and product ID number 38396-0403-02. shipped August 1st, 2008 through October 8th, 2008. The lot number can be found on the back panel of the box containing 100 syringes or on the paper backing of each syringe. The product ID number can be found on the top panel, upper right corner of the syringe box.

During the packaging process, U-40 syringes were possibly mixed with U-100 syringes. If a patient who usually measures with a U-40 syringe accidentally uses a U-100 syringe, he/she could receive up to 2.5 times the prescribed dose of insulin. This overdose could lead to serious, possibly fatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). So far, there has only been one report of an actual occurence.

These syringes were sold at Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Clubs from August 1st until October 8, 2008. The lot affected is 813900. Covidien voluntarily recalled the syringes on October 9th. Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs have sent out letters to over 16,500 customers and posted notices in stores and on their websites.

Consumers and health care professionals who suspect they have the recalled product may contact Covidien at 866-780-5436 or www.relion.com/recall for more information. If you call or go to the website you will be mailed a complimentary box of replacement ReliOn syringes along with a pre-paid U.S. Mail return label & return shipping label. The return label should be used to send the recalled syringes in the return carton back to Can-Am for investigation.

In a message to their customers on the website Covidien states: "Product safety and quality continue to be our number one priority. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this issue may cause you. We value your continued support. If you have any additional questions, please contact us directly at 1-866-780-5436."

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/id...

http://www.relion.com/recall/

About the author

Patty Donovan was in a wheelchair and could only walk around her house with a cane. She was on over 20 medications. When told to "take the morphine, get in the wheelchair and learn to live with it" by a neurosurgeon, she knew her life had to change. She is now almost a fanatic when it comes to healing through the use of "whole foods" and and natural remedies. Since that time, she has spent countless hours researching nutrtion and alternative health. After spending 30 years in the allopathic health care industry in both pharmacy and as an RN, she brings a unique perspective to Natural News readers. Since committing to this new life style, she no longer uses even a cane, has gotten off over 20 medications, lost over 50lbs and returned to work.