UPDATED: Sixteen days ago, Bayer Healthcare advised the world -- via press release -- that there was a possible sterility problem -- with select runs of Triad-manufactured alchohol pads and swabs (kitted with some Bayer meds, but not manufactured by Bayer).
Similarly, eleven days ago, Genentech (now a Roche affiliate) issued a press release, to be sure the world knew about the Triad recall of alchohol swabs and pads -- co-packaged as kits, with some of Genentech's products. All of the companies -- including Merck -- were handed this information no later than January 6, 2011 -- or over 18 days ago, now.
Yesterday, while the Jets and Bears were losing, Merck finally got around to putting out a Pegintron®-involved press release -- for the same potential problem:
. . . .The Triad Group recall impacts the alcohol prep pads that are co-packaged and distributed with the Merck medicines Pegintron® (peginterferon alfa-2b) single dose RediPen® and Pegintron® vials for markets in Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Latin America (excluding Brazil) and Canada, and Intron® A (interferon alfa-2b) Multidose RediPen and Intron A Solution vials for markets in Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) and Latin America (excluding Brazil). Merck medicines distributed in the United States are not impacted by the Triad Group recall.
According to information posted on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Medwatch website, the recall was initiated by the Triad Group due to concerns about potential contamination of the products with the bacteria, Bacillus cereus. According to the FDA communication, use of the contaminated alcohol pads, alcohol swabs, and alcohol swabsticks could lead to life-threatening infection especially in at-risk populations, including immune-suppressed and surgical patients. . . .
To win back the previously squandered trust (primarily, the trust squandered on the legacy Schering-Plough side of the house), this truly-massive pharma organization (the No. 2 in the world!) is simply going to have to become more nimble in its communications program -- there is little doubt about it.
Whitehouse Station needs to be doing it faster, and better, than the others -- given that it decided to splash itself with the legacy Schering-Plough "eau-de-scandale".
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