Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Leaky Insuline Pump Cartridges Recalled

J and Jhas recalled hundreds of thousands of potentially leaky insulin pump cartridges that could lead to serious health problems and death.

It also has been warned by the Food and Drug Administration over manufacturing concerns for heart devices made at its Cordis unit's San German, Puerto Rico, facility.

J&J's Animas unit, the maker of the recalled cartridges and insulin pumps in which they are used by diabetics, said in a letter to patients last month that it found some of the cartridges can leak, resulting in delivery of less insulin than intended.

Insufficient insulin can cause high blood sugar and a serious condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. A leaking cartridge could also cause the pump to fail to sound an alarm if there were blockage in the infusion set, Animas said.

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