Drug Recalls Soared Again in 2013, Driven by Contamination

FDA reported 1,276 drug recalls last year, the third-highest level ever. Inspections of pharmacies that compounded purportedly aseptic injectables drove the numbers, but pharmaceutical manufacturers also contributed as they struggled with particulates, precipitation and other issues.

U.S. drug recalls increased in 2013 to the third-highest level ever, driven by microbial and particulate contamination at pharmaceutical compounding and manufacturing facilities.

In all, there were 1,276 drug recalls last year, nearly twice the 655 recalls in 2012 and over half the 2,329 recalls FDA reported in the peak year, 2011.

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