FDA Seizes All Drugs From Generics Maker( Agency cites poor quality at Michigan...),Health

Agency cites poor quality at Michigan plants, warns of potential shortage of one pain reliever

THURSDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) -- The seizure of all drugs and drug ingredients at a Michigan-based manufacturer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could lead to a shortage of a particular type of pain reliever, the agency said on Thursday.

The FDA ordered U.S. Marshals to seize the products from plants run by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd in Detroit, Farmington Hills, and Wixom, Mich. Caraco manufactures generic drugs, including cardiac, psychiatric and pain medications, the FDA said in a Thursday afternoon press briefing.

"This action follows the company's continued failure to meet the FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, which assure the quality of manufactured drugs," Deborah M. Autor, director of FDA's Office of Compliance, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during an afternoon teleconference Thursday.

Caraco makes 33 drugs that may be affected, Autor said. She said that despite the action taken by the agency, consumers should still take any drugs made by Caraco that they may still have.

The seizure may cause a shortage of one pain drug, choline magnesium trisalicylate, in particular. However, the drug is used by only a small percentage of patients and patients can find alternatives by consulting their doctor, Autor said.

The FDA took the action due to Caraco's failure to meet the agency's Good Manufacturing Practice requirements after several warnings, Autor said. The FDA's action stops Caraco from distributing drugs until the company provides the agency assurance that it is complying with good manufacturing requirements.

Starting in January 2009, Caraco voluntarily recalled drugs that the FDA considered defective. The recalls were due to manufacturing defects, including oversized pills and possible errors in the contents of the drugs.'/>"/>