Epogen and Procrit, which are produced by Amgen (AMGN) have been recalled because of possible glass flakes that may be within the liquid injection drug. This recall which is not the first in the last few months in the drug industry affects 200 lots of Epogen, and 155 lots of Procrit. Both Procrit and Epogen are the same drug, marketed under different names. Epogen is marketed by Amgen directly for kidney-failure patients on dialysis, and Procrit is the same drug, but licensed to Johnson and Johnson for various other uses.

Total sales of both drugs were approximately $4.8 billion last year. The glass fragments have chipped off the vials used to hold the drugs. After a long time the vials begin to break down and glass has been shown to chip off into the liquid. Although no medical problems have been reported as of yet, glass particles injected into a human vein can cause all sorts of problems. In addition to the recall by Amgen, they will also be reducing the shelf life of the product to 12 months from 36 months to make sure that any vial that could possibly flake off into the drug be pulled from the shelf beforehand. Amgen is also changing the vials in use.

The vials which are part of the recall can be search for by lot number at the Epogen and Procrit websites.