Health professionals/dialysis clinicians are notified of
problems with >multiple use of labeled single use Epogen vials. Amgen was
made aware of 21 >episodes of bacteremia or pyrogenic reactions in
patients receiving Epogen >at a U.S. dialysis unit. A Center for Disease
Control and Prevention >investigation revealed that unused portions of
Epogen remaining in single >dose preservative-free vials were collected
and pooled into common vials for >use in other patients. These practices
were linked to extrinsic bacterial >contamination of Epogen. A copy
of the Amgen letter may be found at: >http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2000/safety00.htm#epogen
