Epogen/Procrit Recall

[CinderDee]

I don't know if anyone uses these but I wanted to post it just in case. I got this in an email today from a kidney group I joined when Kate was ill.
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I don't want to start a panic but thought everyone should be aware of what is going on with Epogen and Procrit since many kidney dogs are on these medications.

Amgen Inc and Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. have issued a recall for Epogen and Procrit vials that contain small glass flakes (lamellae). Here is a link to the recall information from the FDA-
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm227202.htm

As far as I can tell, every unexpired vial of Epogen and Procrit in the country is in the recall. Our wholesaler also has removed all Epogen and Procrit from their inventory, so it is completely unavailable.

Aranesp is still available for now but I assume it will be stocked out very soon as everyone switches to this medication. I just bought every vial of 25 mcg/ml Aranesp I could from my supplier (16 vials). It is my understanding that while Aranesp costs more per vial, you use less so the price per month (or any other time period) is about the same.

With regard to getting reimbursed, you will need to consult with business you got the Epogen/Procrit from. They should reimburse you, take back the medication and send it off to Amgen / Centocor for a refund.

-Ian with ThrivingPets

More info...... I understand that Walmart Specialty Pharmacy and Thriving Pets both have the 25 mcg vials of Aranesp currently available. Cost is about $140-200 a vial. Walgreens is quoting price of $140, but I do not know anyone who has actually picked any up yet. For anyone using Aranesp or switching to Aranesp, I suggest you buy what you need now as I do not know if the makers of Aranesp will be able to keep up with their new demand level in at least in the short run.

Don't panic but do get yourself a good back up plan in place .. animals that need these products are unlikely to live long without an option. Keep your options open until you have a back up plan to treat your the anemia.

Do not throw your old EPOGEN(R) and PROCRIT(R) away, you should be
able to get your money back. .... and there may be a way to use it
with a 'filter needle' although I would only do that if it were my only option and I would absolutely NOT recommend it to others ... ....

It seems that ALL of the EPOGEN(R) and PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa) in
the supply line is being recalled and there will be a significant delay in manufacturing of the new lots of the strengths commonly used for our dogs and cats. Amgen has changed the shelf life from 36 months to 12 months so all the expiration dates are bad with the new shorter shelf life. No date yet for the availability of the 2000 unit strength. They seems to be starting with the higher dosage products first.

"Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Amgen at
1-800-77-AMGEN (open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week) or Centocor
Ortho Biotech Products at 1-800-547-6446 (open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week)".

[pitbullmamaliz]

God, that's scary.