Hospira, Inc., Issues A Voluntary Nationwide Recall for one lot of BACTERIOSTATIC WATER for Injection, USP, due to a Potential Lack of Sterility Assurance

A MedWatch Safety Alert was just added to the FDA Recalls web page. 

TOPIC: Bacteriostatic Water for Injection USP by Hospira: Recall - Due to a Potential Lack of Sterility Assurance

AUDIENCE: Patient, Pharmacy, Nursing, Risk Manager 

ISSUE: Hospira is voluntarily recalling Bacteriostatic Water for Injection USP, 30 mL, multi-dose vial, lot W20308, to the Hospital/Retail level. Hospira initiated this recall due to lack of confirmation of sterilization for some vials from this lot.

In the event that impacted product is administered to a patient, there is an increased risk that severe adverse events such as invasive bacterial infection, including bacterial meningitis, septicemia, and limited adverse events such as fever, chills, malaise, and cutaneous abscess may occur. To date, Hospira has not received reports of any such adverse events associated with this issue for this lot.

Health care 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.
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.