Alcohol Pads

Late yesterday afternoon, around 17:30, received a call from a Genentech rep saying the alcohol pads that come in the interferon kit maybe contaminated with a bacteria. I didn't write down the name of the bacteria sooo.. the maker of the pads is Triad. They also make pads under different names, like Topco ..

Did anyone else get a similar notice?

[Susan_1a_CC]

Wow, bacteria growing on alcohol pads! Who da thunk it?  Genetech has always been a very stand-up company in my (past medical) experience and I am glad to see that this continues.

[Bali05]

Genentech Informs Customers of Important Information
about Triad Group's Alcohol Prep Pads

Consumers Alerted to Discontinue Use of Alcohol Prep Pads Packaged with Boniva Injection, Fuzeon, Nutropin A.Q. Pen, Pegasys, TNKase Medicines

South San Francisco, Calif. -- January 13, 2011 -- Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, has become aware of the market recall of Triad Group's alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs, and alcohol swabsticks manufactured by Triad in the United States and marketed under various brand names. The Triad Group alcohol prep pads are co-packaged and distributed with Genentech medicines Boniva Injection, Fuzeon, Nutropin A.Q. Pen, Pegasys, and TNKaseto customers in the United States.

According to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Medwatch communication, the recall was initiated due to concerns about potential contamination of the Triad Group's products with the bacteria, Bacillus cereus. This recall involves those products marked as sterile as well as non-sterile. Use of contaminated alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs, and alcohol swabsticks could lead to life-threatening infections, especially in at-risk populations, including immune suppressed and surgical patients.

It is important to note, that Genentech medicines are not contaminated and may continue to be used in accordance with the package insert. Patients and healthcare providers should not use the alcohol prep pads packaged with these medicines and should instead use an alternate alcohol prep pad that is not involved with the Triad Group recall, or alternatively use a sterile gauze pad in conjunction with isopropyl alcohol for disinfecting the injection site prior to administration.

Genentech is in discussion with the FDA and is currently assessing alternatives to address the situation. The company plans to issue a Dear Healthcare Provider letter to potential prescribers and pharmacists to make them aware of the Triad product recall and the need to discontinue use of the alcohol prep pads packaged with Boniva Injection, Fuzeon, Nutropin A.Q. Pen, Pegasys, and TNKase.

Further information about the Triad Group recall can be found on the FDA website.

Patients should consult their healthcare provider for further information. Healthcare providers with questions may contact the Patient Resource Center at 1-877-436-3683 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

[copyman]

wow that really stinks. can you imagine you do OK with treatment but end up in the hospital from alcohol pad infection.

[uncledudeness]

i just opened my IFN box and jumping out at me is the word TRIAD....you would think my pharmacy would be all over this, calling me to warn of a potential health risk....

thanks for the heads up...