IV Solutions from Wallcur of San Diego: CDER Statement - FDA Warns Health Care Professionals Not to Inject Patients
Audience: Risk Manager, Health Professionals, Pharmacy
UPDATED 04/08/2015. FDA’s laboratory analysis of Wallcur’s simulated Practi-0.9% sodium chloride IV is now complete. FDA sampled 11 of Wallcur’s simulated saline solution bags and identified large amounts of endotoxin and significant bacterial contamination in the samples.
These include bacteria (e.g., Bacillus spp., Brevundimonas sp., Pseudomonas spp., Rhizobium radiobacter, Sphingomonas koreensis, Sphingomonas trueperi, Sphingobium sp.). It is possible that additional bacteria are present in other bags that were not included in this analysis.
FDA is aware of more than 40 individuals who received infusions of the simulated Practi-0.9% sodium chloride IV products; 26 of whom reported adverse events that ranged from flu-like symptoms to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. Of those 26 individuals, 2 deaths and 11 hospitalizations were reported.
FDA is reiterating its previous recommendations that ask health care professionals and consumers to do the following:
- Visually inspect all current IV solution bags. Ensure none of the bags are labeled “Wallcur,” “Practi-0.9% sodium chloride,” or “For clinical training purposes only”;
- Consider reviewing clinic procedures and make sure there are procedures in place to visually inspect all future shipments of IV products to ensure they are appropriate for patient use;
- Seek medical attention if you were given a simulated Practi-0.9% sodium chloride product and you experience the symptoms described above;
- Report any suspected adverse events associated with accidental or intentional exposure to simulated products to FDA’s MedWatch program online or at 1-800-332-1088.
FDA has been working closely with Wallcur to make changes to its labeling and distribution practices to prevent future occurrences. FDA also has been working with the simulation medical products industry to highlight the risks associated with the incorrect use of these products.
UPDATED 01/10/2015. Wallcur’s Practi-IV solutions bags are recalled.
AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Health Professionals, Pharmacy
ISSUE: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals not to use Wallcur, LLC, simulated intravenous (IV) products in human or animal patients. These products are for training purposes only. There have been reports of serious adverse events associated with the use of certain of these products – i.e., Practi IV Solution Bags.
BACKGROUND: FDA has become aware that some Wallcur training IV products have been distributed to health care facilities and administered to patients. FDA will continue to investigate and monitor this issue. The agency is also working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to inform health care professionals and state health departments.
RECOMMENDATION: Before administering IV solutions to patients, health care providers should carefully check the labels to ensure that the products are not training products, such as Practi IV Solution Bags marketed by Wallcur. Wallcur’s training products, which may bear the words “for clinical simulation,” are not to be administered to patients.
If you suspect that any Wallcur training IV products may have been administered to a patient, whether or not the incident has resulted in an adverse event, please report the incident to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by:
- Complete and submit the report online at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
[01/10/2015 - Press Release - Wallcur]
[12/30/2014 - CDER Statement- FDA]
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