Recalls of the Week: Excess NDMA & Biocell Patient Awareness Campaign

The following are notable recall statements released by the US Food and Drug Administration during the week of May 31-June 7.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Recall of Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets USP 500 mg and 750 mg Due to N-Nitrosodimethylamine

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling fourteen (14) lots of Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500 mg and 750 mg, 100 and 1000 count bottles, in the United States to the consumer-level due to the detection of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels in excess of the Acceptable Daily Intake Limit (ADI).

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.

Metformin Hydrochloride is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lots being recalled are packaged under the Actavis Pharma, Inc. label and are contained in the table below.

They were distributed nationwide in the USA as retail bottles of 100 tablets and 1000 tablets to Teva’s direct customers between January 8, 2019 and May 27, 2020.

Read the recall statement.

Marksans Pharma Limited Issues Recall of Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, Due to the Detection of N-Nitrosodimethylamine

Marksans Pharma Limited, India is voluntarily recalling Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, lot # XP9004, to the consumer level. FDA analysis has found the product to contain N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels in excess of the Acceptable Daily Intake Limit (ADI) of 96ng/day.

Risk Statement: NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products and vegetables. Marksans Pharma Limited has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall to date.

Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and is packaged in 100 count bottles with NDC code 49483-623-01. The affected Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, are white to off white, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets, debossed with ‘101’ on one side and plain on the other side.

Read the recall statement.

Allergan Aesthetics Launches Campaign to Contact Patients Who May Not Be Aware of Biocell Recall

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company (NYSE: ABBV), is initiating a new digital campaign to improve device tracking and further identify and reach breast implant patients who have, or have had, BIOCELL® breast implants and/or tissue expanders to inform them of the risk of BIA-ALCL. Since July 2019 when the BIOCELL® recall was announced, robust efforts were made to reach patients, however, the Company is still seeking to directly contact all U.S. BIOCELL® patients that have not yet been notified. This is due to incomplete device tracking data for approximately 52,000 BIOCELL® breast implant units.

It is important to note the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made the following recommendation, "If you have no symptoms, we are not recommending the removal of these or other types of breast implants due to the low risk of developing BIA-ALCL. However, if you have any questions, talk to your health care provider."

Allergan Aesthetics will launch a multi-channel campaign which will include digital and social media advertisements further informing patients of the voluntary recall and directing them to Allergan Aesthetics' www.BIOCELLinformation.com website for education on how to identify their implant type and register their implants.

"Allergan Aesthetics is committed to patient safety and we are continuing to make every effort to make sure that each and every patient is made aware of the BIOCELL® recall, and knows their implant type and implant history," said John Maltman, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Allergan Aesthetics.

Read the recall statement.