Second Fentanyl Patch Recall issued
Two fentanyl patch recalls have been issued over the past seven days due to a risk that users or handlers of the powerful painkiller could experience respiratory depression or fentanyl overdose after coming into contact with the patch. Two different manufacturing defects at different plants have resulted in recalls involving the brand name Duragesic pain patch and generic fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz and Actavis. The fentanyl gel in these patches could leak out and come into direct contact with the skin, resulting in serious and potentially fatal injuries.
>>PRIOR POST (2/13/2008): Duragesic Pain Patch Recall
On February 13, 2008, Johnson & Johnson issued a fentanyl patch recall for 95 lots of their 25 microgram-per-hour patches after a manufacturing defect was discovered. Some of the pain patchers were found to contain a slice along one side of the drug reservoir, which could cause the fentanyl gel to leak. That recall applied to brand name Duragesic pain patches and generic fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz, Inc., which were both manufactured by Alza Corporation, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson.
Yesterday, a second fentanyl patch recall was issued for 14 lots of generic patches sold by Actavis, Inc., which include 25, 50, 75 and 100 microgram-per-hour patches with an expiration date between May 2009 and August 2009. These patches, which were manufactured for Actavis by Coruim International, could have a “fold-over” defect, which may allow the fentanyl gel to leak directly onto the skin.
The recalled Actavis fentanyl patches could also contain the former name of the company, Abrika Pharmaceuticals, on the pouches that contain the patch. The official list of products impact by this week’s fentanyl patch recall includes:
- Actavis Fentanyl Transdermal System, 25 mcg/hr. NDC 67767-120-18
- Actavis Fentanyl Transdermal System, 50 mcg/hr. NDC 67767-121-18
- Actavis Fentanyl Transdermal System, 75 mcg/hr. NDC 67767-122-18
- Actavis Fentanyl Transdermal System, 100 mcg/hr. NDC 67767-123-18
Both this week’s and last week’s fentanyl patch recall pose a serious health risk to users of the powerful painkiller. Direct exposure to fentanyl gel could lead to respiratory depression or a potentially fatal overdose. Users and caregivers who place the patches on their loved ones have been advised to thoroughly rinse any area of the skin which comes into contact with fentanyl gel with large amounts of water, but soap should not be used.
FENTANYL PATCH RECALL LAWSUITS
The lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. are reviewing potential fentanyl patch lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered an overdose death or other serious injury as a result of the powerful pain patches. In addition to injuries caused by defective products, reports indicate that hundreds of fentanyl patch deaths could have been caused by the manufacturers’ failure to properly warn of the serious risk of overdose.
If you, a friend or family member have suffered a fentanyl overdose or death as a result of the pain patch, request a free claim evaluation.
