Loose Needles Manufacturer Novo Nordisk Recalls Diabetes Emergency Kit

"GlucaGen Hypokit": Novo Nordisk Recalls Diabetes Drug Kit
The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk recalls three batches of the "GlucaGen® HypoKit" in Germany. The product is used to treat severe hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients.

Diabetes Emergency Kit will be recalled
The Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk recalls three batches of the diabetes emergency kit "GlucaGen® HypoKit" in Germany. The product is used to treat severe hypoglycemic reactions (low blood sugar) that can occur in insulin therapy in children and adults with diabetes mellitus.

The Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk recalls three batches of the diabetes emergency kit "GlucaGen® HypoKit". For the product, the needles could come loose. (Image: Dmitry Lobanov / fotolia.com)

Low blood sugar can be dangerous
First symptoms of low blood sugar include tremors, excessive sweating, inner restlessness and nervousness. If diabetics do not immediately consume sugar (especially glucose) or receive an injection with hormonal counterparts of the insulin glucagon, the condition of the person affected increasingly worsens.

Needles could relax
According to a press release, the company has conducted an investigation that has shown that in a few cases (0.006 percent) the needles have detached from the pre-filled syringe in certain batches of "GlucaGen® HypoKit". Outwardly the malfunction is not recognizable.

In case of emergency, needles could become detached during use. In such cases, the preparation is no longer usable as intended. If this delays treatment, it can have serious consequences for the patient.

The batches FS6W906, FS6W937 and FS6X052 with the expiry date 31.05.2018 are affected. The drugs have been sold in Germany since 2016.

Report side effects to manufacturer
Patients are encouraged to deliver the affected packs to their pharmacy and have them exchanged free of charge. In addition, the pharmaceutical producer writes: "All suspected adverse reactions using the GlucaGen® HypoKit with the above mentioned. Batch names and expiration dates should be reported to Novo Nordisk immediately. "

Novo Nordisk regrets the incident and apologizes for the inconvenience caused to patients, doctors and pharmacists.

Recall of blood sugar test strips
Only a few months ago, another product for diabetes patients had to be recalled. The pharmaceutical company Stadapharm recalled its blood sugar test strips and measuring device kits. Shortly thereafter came products from other manufacturers in the criticism.

The German Diabetes Society (DDG) had demanded a renewed recall of unreliable blood sugar test strips. The experts accused the medical device manufacturer Medisana AG and the retail chain Aldi Süd of threatening patient safety by selling these products. (Ad)