Problematic stoppers replaced for BD syringes used to store compounded or repackaged drugs

Becton-Dickinson (BD) reported to FDA that it has replaced the rubber stopper material associated with a loss of drug potency in its general use syringes with a rubber stopper it previously used in the syringes. FDA initially alerted health care professionals in 2015 not to administer compounded and repackaged drugs stored in certain sizes of general use BD syringes, following reports of an interaction with the rubber stopper that caused some drugs stored in the syringes to lose potency when not used immediately. As noted previously, the general use BD syringes are cleared for immediate use in fluid aspiration and injection, but not for use as a closed container storage system for drug products, and FDA has not determined the suitability of these syringes (with either rubber stopper) for that purpose. For more information, as well as for confirmation that the specific lots of syringes used by a facility contain the new stoppers, health care professionals may contact BD at (201) 847-6800.