Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection, 40 mg/2 mL (20 mg/mL), 1 x 2 mL Single Dose Vial per carton, ...

FDA Drug Recall #D-66447-001 — Class II — September 23, 2013

Recall Summary

Recall Number D-66447-001
Classification Class II — Moderate risk
Date Initiated September 23, 2013
Status Terminated
Voluntary Voluntary: Firm initiated

Recalling Firm

Firm West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corp.
Location Eatontown, NJ
Product Type Drugs
Quantity 9020 vials

Product Description

Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection, 40 mg/2 mL (20 mg/mL), 1 x 2 mL Single Dose Vial per carton, Rx only, Manufactured by: Thymoorgan Pharmazie GmbH, Schiffgraben 23, 38690 Vienenburg, Germany; Distributed by: West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corp., Eatontown, NJ 07724 USA, NDC 0143-9702-01.

Reason for Recall

Superpotent Drug: a recent review of the USP revealed that an incorrect calculation was used to determine the amount of irinotecan to use in formulation which will result in an assay higher than the labeled claim.

Distribution Pattern

Nationwide

Lot / Code Information

Lot #: AC0020, Exp 03/14; AC0023, AC0025, Exp 08/14

Other Recalls from West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corp.

Recall # Classification Product Date
D-1139-2015 Class III Fentanyl Citrate Inj., USP, CII, 250 mcg/5 mL (... May 13, 2015
D-0172-2015 Class II VERSAPHARM INCORPORATED Ethambutol Hydrochlorid... Oct 2, 2014
D-1414-2014 Class II Isoniazid Tablets, USP, 300 mg, Rx only, packag... May 20, 2014
D-367-2014 Class II Carisoprodol Tablets, USP 350 mg, Rx Only, 1000... Nov 7, 2013
D-66447-002 Class II Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection, 100 mg/5 mL... Sep 23, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions

Stop using the medication immediately and contact your pharmacist. A mislabeling recall can range from a minor technical error (wrong font size) to a serious mix-up where one drug is inside another drug's packaging. If you received a medication that looks or acts differently than expected, or if you experienced unexpected effects, tell your doctor immediately. The pharmacist can verify whether your specific lot is affected and provide a replacement. Report any adverse effects experienced to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Not necessarily. Many drug recalls are initiated because of quality system failures or test results that suggest a product might not meet specifications — even if no patients have reported harm. The FDA uses a precautionary approach: if there is reason to believe quality standards were not met, a recall is required regardless of whether adverse effects have been reported. Class I recalls typically involve a reasonable probability of harm; Class II recalls may cause temporary health issues; Class III recalls are for products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences but that still violate regulations.

Pharmacies typically receive recall notices directly from drug wholesalers and manufacturers within days of the recall being announced. Your pharmacist can look up whether any product in your prescription history matches a recalled lot number. For current recalls, the FDA publishes updates at FDA.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts and sends MedWatch email alerts for significant drug safety issues. You can sign up for MedWatch alerts at FDA.gov. Most major pharmacy chains also have their own recall notification systems that automatically alert pharmacists when a recalled product is in their inventory.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this medication if affected by this recall. Contact your pharmacist or prescribing doctor immediately for guidance. Do not flush medications — use a drug take-back program.