Duragesic Pain Patch Recall Attorneys

On February 12th, 2008 The FDA notified consumers that the 25-microgram-per-hour Duragesic Pain Patch’s were being voluntarily recalled as a precaution from wholesalers and pharmacies. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009, and all are manufactured by ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recalls come after the discovery that due to a manufacturing problem, the patches may have a cut in the internal reservoir lining. The result is the possible release of fentanyl gel from the gel reservoir into the pouch in which the patch is packaged, exposing patients or caregivers directly to fentanyl gel. Fentanyl, a drug 100 times stronger than morphine with effects similar to heroin, is supposed to be released in controlled doses into the patient’s bloodstream by absorption through the skin. If the wrong dose is administered, the patient can suffer an overdose that may be fatal.

All of the recalled patches were manufactured by the ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara and have expiration dates on or before December 2009. All 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches manufactured by ALZA and sold in Canada also are being recalled. Anyone who has 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC or Sandoz Inc. fentanyl patches should check the box or foil pouch for the expiration date to see if they have patches that are being recalled. The cut edge in affected patches can be seen upon opening the sealed foil pouch that holds the patch. Affected patches should not be handled directly.

When the trust we place in pharmaceutical companies to produce safe, effective products is violated the results can be tragic. Many victims who did little more then seek relief from debilitating pain, instead found themselves suffering from dangerous, often deadly medical conditions as a result of using the defective Duragesic Pain Patches. If you or someone you know has suffered as the result of this defective and harmful pharmaceutical product, or to learn more about pending cases and see if you qualify as a plaintiff, contact the Duragesic Pain Patch Recall Attorneys at The Alvarez Law Firm today for a free consultation.

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