250 Million Accusure Insulin Syringes Recalled

Associated Press Financial Wire

October 28, 2009

A Huntsville, AL, company is recalling about 250 million Accusure insulin syringes it has distributed nationwide since January 2002 because the products’ needles could detach from the syringes.

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals has received about four complaints related to the needle detaching from the syringe, said Carole Ben-Maimon, M.D., senior vice president of corporate strategy for the company. No injuries resulting from the problem have been reported to the company, she said.

If the needle becomes detached from the syringe during use, it can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into the syringe or remain in the skin after an injection, the company said. The recall includes all Accusure insulin syringes, regardless of lot number. They were distributed from January 2002 to October 2009 to wholesale and retail pharmacies nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

The recall announced Tuesday expands an earlier one of two lots of Accusure insulin syringes. Ben-Maimon said the company expanded the recall to include all syringes because it received a complaint of a syringe not included in the first recall. The recalled syringes come from multiple manufacturers, she said. The syringes could expire several years after they were sold on the market, she added.

Consumers who have these products should stop using them and contact the company at 800-444-4011 for more information. Adverse reactions can be reported to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.