A large batch of defective Duragesic (Fentanyl) patches sold by PriCara and generic versions of fentanyl sold by Sandoz and ALZA in the US and Canada have been found to have a manufacturing defect and are being withdrawn from the market. These are 25mcg/hr patches and all have a date of expiry on or before December 2009.

Fentanyl is a very powerful and effective painkiller used for controlling longstanding severe pain. Thousands of individuals, especially cancer patients, need to use fentanyl patches that are stuck to the skin and provide pain relief for 3 days.

These defective patches have a cut alongside the drug reservoir that may result in the drug leaking out into the pouch and coming in direct contact with the skin. This may result in a drug overdosage that may cause severe side effects including respiratory depression and even death.

To find out more about this issue read the FDA news article on this topic.