SANOFI Allergy Injectors RECALLED!
Sanofi
is recalling hundreds of thousands of epinephrine injectors used to treatsevere allergic
reactions because they may not deliver the correct amount of the
life-saving drug.
The
recall includes all Auvi-Q injections currently on the U.S. market, or roughly
490,000 packs of the devices, the company said in a press release. Most packs
include two injectors.
Sanofi's
product competes with Mylan's EpiPen, which is a staple of first-aid care. Both products are
used to treat allergic reactions caused
by insect bites and stings, foods, medicines or other substances.
About
200,000 people in the U.S. have Sanofi's injector, according to company
estimates.
The
French drug and vaccine maker said it has received 26 reports of malfunctions
with the injectors. None involved patient deaths, according to the company
announcement.
Consumers
can call 1-866-726-6340 or visit the product's website for information on how
to return the injector. They should also contact their health provider to get a
prescription for an alternate device.
"As
this is a life-saving device, it is important that consumers understand not
only to return the recalled device, but to get a replacement epinephrine
auto-injector first," said a company spokeswoman in an emailed statement.
Auvi-Q
auto injectors were distributed throughout the U.S. through pharmacies,
hospitals and wholesalers. The Paris-based company said it has kept the Food
and Drug Administration abreast of the recall. The agency approved Auvi-Q in
August 2012.
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