A Widely Used Syringe Has Been Recalled Nationwide by a Major Healthcare Company
Syringes aren’t just for diabetic patients who need to self-administer insulin. In addition to the clinical and pharmacy setting, patients use them at home for IVF, pet insulin, allergy management, and more.
That’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an important advisory with a few details the agency is highlighting with critical caution. The issue first came to light last September, when Cardinal Health, Inc. sent a letter to healthcare providers and consumers warning that their Monoject U-100 1 mL Insulin Syringe Luer-Lock with Tip Cap Soft Pack had been recalled.
Most commonly, these syringes are widely used to administer insulin under the skin in the treatment of diabetes, but they may be utilized for other medical purposes as well. According to a study published in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, which cites data collected by the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal, it is estimated that there are over 7.5 billion syringes used in households yearly. The researchers add that those numbers are increasing, and that individuals with diabetes are considered the largest user group.
That study further notes that one in 12 households in the U.S. use syringes for treatment of “diabetes, migraines, allergies, infertility, arthritis, HIV, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, or other conditions.” Given this wide range of potential uses, it is possible that patients with conditions other than diabetes could be affected by Cardinal’s recall.
