UPDATE 1-Watson recalls single lot of fentanyl patches

Fri Apr 4, 2008 12:28pm EDT
 
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(Adds details on recall)

NEW YORK, April 4 (Reuters) - Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI.N) has recalled one lot, or about 28,000 units, of its fentanyl pain patch after ingredient levels were found to have deviated from specifications, a company spokeswoman said on Friday.

Watson shipped the products, which involve the 75 microgram dose, between August and November. The recall, which began in March, is at the retail level, although the company believes most of the product already has been sold to patients, company spokeswoman Patty Eisenhaur said.

The patches at issue are unlikely to pose any health hazards, Eisenhaur said. The recall is not expected to have any financial impact on Watson, she said.

The patch delivers the powerful narcotic fentanyl through the skin. Watson said its recall was unrelated to larger recalls of fentanyl patches by other manufacturers earlier this year.

The recall followed a standard six-month stability test on on the products while they were on wholesaler and retailer shelves, which found the product to be out of specification. The type of ingredient that was out of specification was not immediately available.

Even though the company believes most of the patches have has been sold, the company issued the recall as a standard procedure that follows when a product is found through tests to be out of specification, Eisenhaur said.

Patients are advised to call their physicians if they have questions. The lot number is 92461681.

Watson shares were up 26 cents, or about 1 percent, at $29.26 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Andre Grenon)

 

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