The government’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a medical device alert and announced the recall for reportedly defective plastic syringes.
Manufactured by Becton Dickinson, the catheter tip syringe with Luer slip adapters have reportedly failed routine stability tests. Under testing, the syringes can leak through the syringe stopper, rendering administration of medicine inaccurate and unsafe.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Insurance Co. (PCIC) slapped Electrolux Home Products Inc. with a law suit on the 14th February earlier this year.
The law suit was filed to the New Jersey federal court in the U.S. and comes off the back of allegations that complaints here in the U.K. were ignored.
The insurers are accusing the popular white goods company of a faulty wiring problem with their dishwashers, possibly relating to an incident where one belonging to a customer burst into flames – so we’re talking about a serious issue here of course.
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Following a medical device alert back on the 21st April this year, LMA MAD Nasal has recalled their intranasal mucosal atomisation devices after complaints that the device failed to deliver medication properly.
The device provides an alternative administration of medication that otherwise may require a needle. Marketed as “safe, painless and rapidly effective treatment”, many may prefer the nasal atomiser over a sharp needle in the arm.
However, problems have arisen where the medication may not actually be delivered properly or at all, which can of course be incredibly dangerous for users relying on vital medication for their health.
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Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are recalling hundreds of thousands of reportedly defective asthma inhalers.
The life-saving medical devices help asthma sufferers breathe, especially when suffering from asthma attacks, but a reported defect in the Ventolin inhalers has been found to provide insufficient doses.
The drug company, based in the U.K., supplies asthma inhalers to hospitals, pharmacies, retailers and wholesalers around the world, with defective units being found in the U.S.
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Over the past few years, we have seen the digital world explode and incorporate in to everything we do. We have apps and gadgets for all sorts of things!
The medical industry has grasped this fairly new development to improve medical equipment and devices too. With ever advancing technology in treating patients, different medical companies are joining forces to introduce upgraded robotics, better visualisation, and improved bioelectronics.
However, the advancement of creations and collaborations have also seen a similar rise in medical device failures and the ever-present risk of hacking…
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Japanese car brand Toyota are set to be recalling a total of 72,847 vehicles after concerns that overly sensitive resin bumpers may pose a safety risk to users. The recalls affect the newer 2016 and 2017 Tundra models.
The safety defect lies within the resin made step bumpers and resin reinforced brackets on the corners of the vehicle. Any impact made to the resin bumpers may not always reveal visible damage, but if stepped on, it could break way entirely or in part; risking injury to the user.
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It seems the Takata airbag scandal is finally drawing to a close as the auto parts manufacturer, Takata Corp, has pleaded guilty to fraud in hiding the dangerous defect.
Based in Japan, the company found themselves in hot water as 16 deaths were connected to lethal Takata airbags that exploded inside car cabins. Whilst the majority of the fatalities were in the U.S., Takata airbags are used worldwide.
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Medtronic has issued a worldwide recall over their unused StrataMR valve devices after numerous complaints have been raised.
In one of the complaints, one patient death is suspected to be related to the device. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an urgent Field Safety Notice to distribute news of the recall in the U.K.
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How long is too long?
It seems that medical device companies do not prioritise the safety of their products above profits and reputation, as a study conducted by the University of Minnesota revealed that these companies tend to delay in recalling defective products.
When problems are not reported to relevant authorities – like the MHRA here in the UK – healthcare professionals and the public may be unaware of the complaints, and thus may continue to use defective products that may carry a significant risk of harm.
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Several Mercedes-Benz models have been recalled due to a defect in their airbags. A failure in calibration has reportedly led to a software flaw that doesn’t always deploy airbags when needed.
Regulators investigating the matter noted:
“The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration may be incorrect, and as a result, the system can incorrectly classify the occupant as a child seat, deactivating the front passenger air bag.”
UCB Pharma Limited is voluntarily recalling their Viridial Duo Powder and Solvent for Injections after concerns that the cap seals are not strong enough. The cap seals are vulnerable to breaking and thus compromising the sterility of the contents.
Viridal Duo Powder and Solvents contain the active ingredient ‘Alprostadil’ and is used for adult males for diagnostic evaluation and treatment of erectile dysfunction. The prescription only injections for diagnostic evaluation purposes are carried out by a trained physician, who will monitor the dose need to produce an erectile response.
For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, this can be administered by a physician or by self-injection.
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Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction to certain allergens which can be found in foods, drugs, and even venom like in a wasp sting. Depending on the sufferer’s sensitivity to the allergens, anaphylactic shock can be caused by ingestion or even mere contact on skin.
Otherwise more commonly known as an allergic reaction, without the simple treatment, the consequences can be serious and even fatal. Anaphylactic shock can come on immediately, and in severe cases, symptoms can develop just as quickly. Some symptoms include swelling of the throat and face; wheezing; dizziness and fainting spells. If left untreated, individuals may have difficulty breathing to a point where they may stop doing so.
For these reasons, any life saving EpiPen recall is always a major concern.
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