After a series of drugs were recalled by pharmaceutical companies for dangerous side effects, it seems that medical instruments also have several problems.

Recently, almost 500,000 insulin syringes were recalled. Their manufacturer, Covidien, is recalling the syringes from their distributors, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. The brand provided by Covidien was named ReliOn, and they have been sold nationwide by the two popular distributors.

The Food and Drug Administration recommended the recall, and Covidien complied with the request almost instantly. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the use of ReliOn syringes may have disastrous effects on those who use them. Apparently, the products were mislabeled in terms of capacity. Patients who have diabetes and use the ReliOn syringes are in danger of overdosing on insulin, as the quantity of insulin they inject – following the scale mark on the syringe – can reach 2.5 times more than the intended amount.

The syringes recalled are the ones with 31 gauge, 1 cc, from lot number 813900. The product can also be identified by its ID number, which is 38396-0403-02. Although the Food and Drug Administration has received only one report of insulin abuse, they were worried about future misuses and have decided to recall all such syringes. To understand the dangers better, the FDA reported that syringes destined for U-40 insulin were put in the same package as those destined for U-100 insulin. Posters announcing the recall have been hung in both the distributors’ – Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club – sale points.

As a crisis management procedure, the manufacturer of the syringes, Covidien, has offered a phone line where people can call and report problems: (866) 780-5436. An alternative to the phone number is the web page www.relion.com/recall.