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Atrocious labeling of plastic ampuls
needs action now by FDA and manufacturers
From the May 15, 2002 issue
PROBLEM: For nearly a decade, practitioners have been
reporting concerns with the labels on respiratory therapy medications
packaged in plastic (low density polyethylene - LDPE) ampuls,
making this one of the more frequent product problems reported
to the USP-ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program. These concerns
are well founded. Many products from various manufacturers (Alpharma,
AstraZeneca, Dey Labs, Genentech, Nephron, Roxane, Sepracor,
Zenith-Goldline, and others) are packaged in look-alike plastic
ampuls with little difference in shape or color. Even worse,
the ampuls have the drug name(s), strength, lot number and expiration
date embossed into the plastic in transparent, raised letters,
making it virtually impossible to read.
Practitioners have reported confusion between plastic ampuls
of ipratropium (ATROVENT), albuterol (PROVENTIL),
levalbuterol (XOPENEX), budesonide (PULMICORT RESPULES),
dornase alfa (PULMOZYME), and cromolyn (INTAL).
See our web site for pictures. Staff may not notice that a
newer product, DUONEB, contains both ipratropium and
albuterol because the label is so hard to read. Some products
in plastic ampuls, like Pulmicort, Xopenex, and ACCUNEB
(albuterol), also are available in multiple dosage strengths,
but poorly visible labels make it hard to tell the difference.
The risk of a mix-up is heightened if staff keep various respiratory
medications in their lab coat pockets or mixed together in
a "respiratory bin" in a refrigerator. To make matters
worse, some manufacturers (AstraZeneca, Avitro, Vital Signs)
have introduced injectable products, such as heparin for IV
flush use and NAROPIN (ropivacaine), a local anesthetic,
packaged in LDPE ampuls that carry the same risk of error
due to the poorly visible labels.
Figures one and two: Naropin (ropivicaine) injection
front and back of ampuls.
SAFE PRACTICE RECOMMENDATION: There's no doubt that
better labeling of plastic ampuls is long overdue. So why
has FDA allowed manufacturers to produce these products with
unreadable, embossed labels? If a paper label is affixed to
the ampul, or if the label information is embossed into the
ampul using colored inks, there's concern that certain volatiles
in the inks, adhesive and/or paper may ingress into the LDPE
ampuls and potentially harm patients. While this concern is
certainly valid, an unreadable embossed label is an unacceptable
solution, even temporarily. If colored ink or paper labels
on the body of a LDPE ampul is not safe at this time,
then FDA should require such labeling on the flashing portion
of the ampul that does not come into contact with drug solution.
While this may require manufacturers to redesign the ampul's
shape and retool the equipment used to produce it, the only
safe alternative would be to disallow the use of LDPE ampuls.
Figure three: paper labels currently on products from
Dey Labs are contrasted against newer style of labeling (unreadable!).
Meanwhile, when other packaging alternatives exist (especially
for injectables), practitioners and group purchasing organizations
should avoid using products packaged in LDPE ampuls with embossed
labels. For now, Dey Labs offers generic respiratory products
(ipratropium, albuterol, cromolyn, and metaproterenol) in
LDPE ampuls with readable, paper labels affixed. FDA is allowing
Dey Labs to continue to produce these products in plastic
ampuls with paper labels until more information is available
(FDA will not allow Dey Labs to affix paper labels on newer
products such as DuoNeb). Ensure that pharmacy staff order
all respiratory medications and alert the manufacturers to
ship the products separately (including different strengths)
in well-marked boxes to promote accurate placement into storage.
Keep the plastic ampuls in an outer package, which may be
labeled more clearly, and avoid storing respiratory medications
together in a single bin or lab coat pockets. If feasible,
affix auxiliary labels to the products before dispensing.
Figure four: Assorted medications packaged in plastic
ampuls. Respiratory therapists and others have great difficulty
telling these apart. The potential for patients to get the
wrong medication is very high.
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