FDA Recalls Decrease for Fourth Quarter 2014; Units Affected Increase

According to a recent report, the number of product recalls overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decreased during the final quarter of 2014 while the number of units affected by the FDA recalls increased. The latest recall index reported that the food, medical device and pharmaceutical industries saw 398 recalls during the final three months of 2014, a 23 percent decrease from the previous three months and the lowest total for any quarter since 2012.

If you have questions about pursuing a claim against a drug or medical device manufacturer, Attorney Group can help. There is no out of-pocket cost to speak with us, and if you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.

FDA Recalls Decrease for Fourth Quarter of 2014FDA Recalls

The FDA recognized 46 companies involved in 73 pharmaceutical recalls, both the lowest totals for 2014. One company was reportedly responsible for six individual recalls alone. The overall number of recalls impacted 57 million units in the last quarter of 2014, however, which was a 600% percent increase over the previous quarter’s totals. Similarly, there were 220 recalls in the medical device industry, representing a 26 percent decrease, which affected 23.8 million units—an increase of 27 percent in that category. According to the index, one manufacturer alone accounted for 19 recalls in the fourth quarter.

The index also reported that the frequency of FDA recalls affecting other countries made determining the number of recalls difficult in 2014. The U.S. and at least one other country were reportedly affected by 58 percent of pharmaceutical and medical device recalls, while manufacturers had to quickly comply with recalls in remote or smaller locations, including Malta, Fiji or Brunei.

For 2014 overall, many pharmaceutical recalls resulted from units that were out of specification, while labeling and packaging caused the largest percentage of medical device recalls. In food, 105 recalls were reported in the final three months of 2014 that affected 13.8 million units and 94 companies. While these totals were the lowest of 2014, the number of units affected in the fourth quarter more than doubled the third quarter. According to the index, undeclared allergens accounted for more than 50 percent of the recalled units during the last quarter of 2014.

Do You Have Questions Regarding FDA Recalls?

Contact Attorney Group with your questions about pursuing a claim against a drug or medical device manufacturer. We can answer your questions in a free consultation. If you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated FDA recall attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf and help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

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