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Amgen announced on September 24 that it and Johnson & Johnson would recall certain lots of Epogen and Procrit, drugs used to treat anemia related to HIV and hepatitis C therapy, chronic renal failure, and/or chemotherapy due to the possibility that the drugs may contain barely visible thin glass flakes, according to a blog posted on The New York Times website (http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com). The glass is the result of the interaction of the formula with glass vials over the shelf life of the product. Vials of Epogen and Procrit will be recalled from specialty distributors, wholesalers, pharmacies, and healthcare providers.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Amgen, Emma Hurley, said there were no recorded complaints that could be “directly attributed to” the glass particles. Evaluations by the company and Centocor Ortho Biotech Products found “a low potential to impact patients who have received the affected product.”
Consumers are advised to contact their health care provider if they experience any problems that may be related to taking the drug. The lot numbers and expiration dates can be found on websites for the products, and patients can call 1-800-77-AMGEN to ask questions.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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