Drug Recalls Up 19% in 2018 Q3: Stericycle
The Stericycle Recall Index for the third quarter of 2018 shows that drug recalls increased 19% to 92, although recalled units declined 56% to just over seven million, lower than in 10 of the last 13 quarters. The report says that failed specifications were the top reason based on recalls for the ninth consecutive quarter. Similarly, Stericycle says, at 36.9%, deviations from CGMP regulations were the top cause based on units for the third consecutive quarter.
Production problems also affected the medical device industry, the report says, with recalls decreasing 21% to 284 and recalled units decreasing 31% to about 29.4 million, the lowest since 2017 Q1.
At 48.1%, machine failure was the top cause of recalls based on units for the first time since 2016 Q1, mainly due to one large recall. Software issues were the top cause (21.8%) of overall recalls for the 10th consecutive quarter, reflecting the increased technological sophistication and complexities of modern medical devices.