Bayer Statement on Voluntary Recall of Two Lots of Kogenate® FS Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) in the United States

 

While the majority of the mislabeled vials in the affected lots were recovered, approximately 990 of these vials were released in the U.S. The associated Jivi batch was expired as of August 2018. However, all stability specifications of this expired Jivi batch had continued to be met, as of April 2019. We have voluntarily recalled both lots in the interest of patient safety, and to ensure that any potentially impacted product is removed from pharmacy shelves, and that patients and their healthcare providers are alerted. Importantly, vials of Kogenate FS that are not associated with the affected lot numbers (27118RK and 27119CG) are not impacted and can continue to be used without interruption. There are no lots of Jivi or Kovaltry® antihemophilic factor (recombinant) product affected by this recall.

Patient safety is Bayer’s highest priority. We are carefully monitoring for any complaints or adverse event reports that may be related to this recall. The company is issuing this notification after discovering the issue earlier this week. Following an immediate internal assessment, Bayer contacted the FDA to inform the agency of the situation.

Kogenate FS and Jivi are both medicines used to replace clotting factor (factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with hemophilia A. Kogenate FS is approved to treat or control bleeding in adults and children with hemophilia A. Jivi is approved to treat and control bleeding in previously treated adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older) with hemophilia A.

Patients in possession of vials from the affected lot numbers should immediately stop using the product and contact their physician. In addition, patients should contact their pharmacy to return the affected product. Bayer is notifying its distributors in writing to check their stock immediately and to discontinue the distribution and use of any affected product. For distributors with questions regarding the recall process, please contact the Bayer Recall Coordinator, Inmar, at 855-707-7518.

Bayer is committed to providing our patients safe and effective therapy. We encourage healthcare providers and patients with questions to call our medical communications hotline with questions: 1-888-84-BAYER (1-888-842-2937).

We understand that this news may be concerning for patients with hemophilia A who depend on these medicines. Bayer is committed to providing the most up-to-date and accurate information to those who may be affected by this issue. Bayer takes its 30-year partnership with the hemophilia community very seriously, and we remain deeply dedicated to meeting the needs of patients living with this life-long disease.

Patients and healthcare providers are encouraged to report side effects or quality complaints of products to the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088. For Bayer products, you can report these directly to Bayer at www.adversereactions.bayer.comExternal Link Disclaimer

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Kogenate® FS antihemophilic factor (recombinant)

Indications and Important Safety Information

Indications

Kogenate® FS Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) is a medicine used to replace clotting factor (factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with hemophilia A.

Kogenate FS is used to treat and control bleeding in adults and children with hemophilia A. Your healthcare provider may give you Kogenate FS when you have surgery.

Kogenate FS can reduce the number of bleeding episodes in adults and children when used regularly (prophylaxis). Kogenate FS can reduce the risk of joint damage in children without pre-existing joint damage when used regularly.

Kogenate FS is not used to treat von Willebrand disease.

Important Safety Information

You should not use Kogenate FS if you are allergic to rodents (like mice and hamsters) or are allergic to any ingredients in Kogenate FS.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have been told you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.

You could have an allergic reaction to Kogenate FS. Call your healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get rash or hives, itching, tightness of the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, light-headed, dizziness, nausea or a decrease in blood pressure.

Your body can make antibodies, called “inhibitors,” against Kogenate FS, which may stop Kogenate FS from working properly. Consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to factor VIII.

Other common side effects of Kogenate FS are local injection site reactions (pain, swelling, irritation at infusion site) and infections from implanted injection device. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Call your healthcare provider right away if bleeding is not controlled after using Kogenate FS.

For important risk and use information, please see full prescribing informationExternal Link Disclaimer.

Jivi® antihemophilic factor (recombinant) PEGylated-aucl

Indications and Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS

• Jivi is an injectable medicine used to replace clotting factor (Factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with hemophilia A.

• Jivi is used to treat and control bleeding in previously treated adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older) with hemophilia A. Your healthcare provider may also give you Jivi when you have surgery. Jivi can reduce the number of bleeding episodes in adults and adolescents with hemophilia A when used regularly (prophylaxis).

• Jivi is not for use in children below 12 years of age or in previously untreated patients.
• Jivi is not used to treat von Willebrand disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• You should not use Jivi if you are allergic to rodents (like mice and hamsters) or to any ingredients in Jivi.

• Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions that you have or had.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have been told that you have inhibitors to Factor VIII.

• Allergic reactions may occur with Jivi. Call your healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get tightness of the chest or throat, dizziness, decrease in blood pressure, or nausea.

• Allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol (PEG), a component of Jivi, are possible.

• Your body can also make antibodies, called “inhibitors,” against Jivi, which may stop Jivi from working properly. Consult your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to Factor VIII.

• If your bleeding is not being controlled with your usual dose of Jivi, consult your doctor immediately. You may have developed Factor VIII inhibitors or antibodies to PEG and your doctor may carry out tests to confirm this.

• The common side effects of Jivi are headache, cough, nausea, and fever.

• These are not all the possible side effects with Jivi. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

For additional important risk and use information, please see full Prescribing InformationExternal Link Disclaimer.

KOVALTRY® antihemophilic factor (recombinant)

Indications and Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS

• KOVALTRY® is a medicine used to replace clotting factor (Factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with hemophilia A.
• KOVALTRY® is used to treat and control bleeding in adults and children with hemophilia A. KOVALTRY® can reduce the number of bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia A when used regularly (prophylaxis). Your healthcare provider may give you KOVALTRY® when you have surgery.
• KOVALTRY® is not used to treat von Willebrand Disease.

KOVALTRY® Important Safety Information

• You should not use KOVALTRY® if you are allergic to rodents (like mice and hamsters) or any ingredients in KOVALTRY®.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.
• The common side effects of KOVALTRY® are headache, fever and itchy rash.
• Allergic reactions may occur with KOVALTRY®. Call your healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get tightness of the chest or throat, dizziness, decrease in blood pressure, and nausea.
• Your body can also make antibodies, called “inhibitors,” against KOVALTRY®, which may stop KOVALTRY® from working properly.
• Consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to Factor VIII.
• Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if bleeding is not controlled after using KOVALTRY®.

For important risk and use information, please see the full prescribing informationExternal Link Disclaimer.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.usExternal Link Disclaimer.

 

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