Hospira, Inc., one of the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies and a global leader in biosimilars, has announced the nationwide recall of seven lots of Propofol injectable emulsion, USP, to the user level due to a glass defect located on the interior neck of the vial, which was identified during a retain sample inspection where the glass vial contained visible embedded metal particulate. Free-floating metal particulates were also identified in vials upon further analysis.

In general, injected particulate matter may result in local inflammation, phlebitis, and/or low level allergic response through mechanical disruption of tissue or immune response to the particulate. Capillaries, which may be as small as the size of a red blood cell, may become occluded. Chronically, following sequestration, particulate matter may lead to granulomatous formation, most likely in the lungs. Long term clinically meaningful impact is low if a patient has normal lung function. While extremely rare, embedded stainless steel may put a patient at risk from MRI (strong magnetic field exposure) as particulate, if in the lung, could potentially dislodge and be pulled through tissue. To date, Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for these lots.

The affected lots were distributed nationwide to distributors/wholesalers, hospitals and clinics from August 2013 through December 2013. The lot numbers affected by the recall are: Propofol injectable emulsion, 1%, 200 mg / 20 mL (10 mg/mL).

On April 2, 2014, Hospira notified its customers via recall letter that the company had implemented corrective actions to the manufacturing process to prevent recurrence.

Customers have been advised to check inventory and immediately quarantine any affected product. In addition, customers should inform potential users of this product in their organizations of this notification. Affected product should be returned to Stericycle, which can be contacted at 1-877-272-2158 (M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET).