Remdesivir FDA Alerts

Gilead Issues A Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of Two Lots Of Veklury® (Remdesivir) Due To Presence Of Glass Particulates

Foster City, Calif., December 3, 2021 –Gilead Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced it is voluntarily recalling two lots of Veklury^® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) to the user level. Gilead Sciences Inc. received a customer complaint, confirmed by the firm’s investigation, of the presence of glass particulates.  

Risk Statement: The administration of an injectable product that contains glass particulates may result in local irritation or swelling in response to the foreign material. If the glass particulate reaches the blood vessels it can travel to various organs and block blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke and even lead to death. To date, Gilead Sciences Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Veklury is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients ≥ 12 years old and weighing ≥40 kg requiring hospitalization for COVID-19. The lyophilized form of Veklury (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is distributed in single dose clear glass vials in powder form and reconstituted at the site of use. Veklury lots 2141001-1A and 2141002-1A were distributed nationwide in the United States, beginning October 2021. NDC, lot, expiration date and distribution dates can be found in the table below.

Gilead is notifying its distributors and customers via UPS next day air mail to hospital pharmacies and is facilitating the return of any remaining vials from the affected lots. Hospitals that have Veklury which is being recalled should stop using the affected lots and return the product vials per the instructions.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Gilead Medical Information at 1-866-633-4474 Monday to Friday 6am - 4pm PST or through their website at www.askgileadmedical.com.  Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of Veklury may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Source: Gilead Sciences Inc.

Remdesivir by Gilead Sciences: FDA Warns of Newly Discovered Potential Drug Interaction That May Reduce Effectiveness of Treatment

ISSUE: FDA is warning health care providers that co-administration of remdesivir and chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended as it may result in reduced antiviral activity of remdesivir.

The agency is not aware of instances of this reduced activity occurring in the clinical setting but, is continuing to evaluate all data related to remdesivir.

BACKGROUND: Following an evaluation of the emergency use authorization criteria and the scientific evidence available, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) in May 2020 allowing for remdesivir to be distributed in the U.S. and to be administered intravenously by health care providers, as appropriate, to treat suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients hospitalized with severe disease. The safety and efficacy of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 continue to be evaluated, and preliminary clinical trial results have shown that on average, patients treated with remdesivir had more rapid time to recovery.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that health care providers read the most up-to-date fact sheet when prescribing remdesivir. These fact sheets include information on possible side effects such as: increased levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of inflammation or damage to cells in the liver; and allergic reactions, which may include low blood pressure, high heart rate, low heart rate, shortness of breath, wheezing, angioedema (for example, lip or tongue swelling), difficulty swallowing, rash, nausea, vomiting, sweating, shivering and respiratory distress.

Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report online
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Source: FDA