Recalled Sedative Not in Use at Scripps Hospitals and Clinics

Scripps Health confirmed today that a generic version of the anesthesia medication propofol recalled because of safety concerns is not in use at any of its facilities.

“After the recall, we performed a very careful, methodical review at our pharmacies across the system,” said Edward Jai, senior director of corporate pharmacy at Scripps Health. “Based on our findings from this investigation, we know the product in question is not in our inventories at any hospital or clinic.”

Propofol is a short-acting anesthesia medication which is commonly used for sedation during medical and surgical procedures. In November of 2009, Hospira, which makes a generic version of the drug, initiated a recall of its products because some of the containers may have been contaminated during the manufacturing process with particulate matter, primarily made of stainless steel particles. Because these contaminants do not dissolve in blood, they could potentially act as emboli and impede blood flow. In recent months, the drug maker expanded the recall to include a wider range of its product supply.

“Scripps has received questions from concerned patients about the recalled drug,” said Jai. “We want to let our community know that we take recalls very seriously and we have safeguards in place. Patient safety is our number one priority.”

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2.2 billion, private not-for-profit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,500 affiliated physicians and 13,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, clinical research and graduate medical education programs, ambulatory care network of physician offices and 19 outpatient centers and clinics.

A leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury, Scripps is the only California health system listed among Thomson Reuters top 10 health systems in 2009. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.