This alert is to make sure you saw the most recent update issued by BD regarding availability of medical syringes. The BD announcement follows the most recent update from the FDA on March 19th reiterating safety concerns about plastic syringes made in China and potential device failures when using these products. This should help relieve some of the strain on US hospitals that have had to find alternative supply of syringes in light of the FDA recommendations.
Here are the key highlights from BD’s announcement and communication to customers:
– The latest FDA safety communication does not include any BD syringes.
– The FDA is continuing to evaluate the potential for device failures with plastic syringes manufactured in China. The issue does not include glass syringes, pre-filled syringes, or syringes used for oral or topical purposes.
– BD has increased domestic syringe production by more than 25% since the initial FDA safety communication last November recommending that hospitals halt use of plastic syringes manufactured in China due to potential for device failure. The production increase is taking place at BD manufacturing facilities in Nebraska and Connecticut.
– BD plans to further increase production to respond to customer needs.
Hospitals should see a continued improvement in the availability of US-produced plastic syringes from BD. If you have questions or need assistance ordering BD syringes, contact your BD sales representative or distributor for more information.
Miga will continue to monitor this issue and share additional information as it becomes available.