Back to Pharmaceutical Liability

A woman with leukemia recently filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a batch of pre-filled syringes that were contaminated with bacteria, claiming they made her violently sick.

Katie Abrams was hospitalized for nine days as a result of using the syringes at home, according to the pharmaceutical liability lawsuit.

She "became ill with uncontrollable shaking, vomiting and a fever that reached as high as 105.5 degrees Fahrenheit," according to the lawsuit.

Earlier this month, physicians traced numerous infections to heparin-filled syringes used during home treatment for cancer and other ailments. About 40 people were sickened in Texas and Illinois.

The syringes, made by Sierra Pre-Filled, are used to flush catheters and intravenous lines.

The bacteria Serratia marcescens was found in a single lot of syringes, which has since been recalled by the company.

Abrams' attorney said he believes it is the first lawsuit over the tainted syringes.

Infections caused by the bacteria could be life-threatening, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in announcing the company's voluntary recall.

Consumers who have the recalled syringes should stop using the product immediately, the FDA said. The product was distributed to Texas, Florida, Illinois, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

FDA inspectors found the company failed to have adequate controls for ensuring sterility of the syringes.

Reference:

"Woman Sues Maker of Tainted Syringes," AP, Carla K. Johnson, December 2007.