May 1, 2024- ECRI, a global safety nonprofit, has shared recommendations about mitigating the threats posed by malfunctioning syringes manufactured in China. In an ECRI Exclusive Hazard Report from December 2023, ECRI advised its members to review their inventory of all plastic syringes to identify those made in China; contact vendors to request the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) identification; monitor recall notices to identify affected lots; and contact ECRI for help identifying alternative products or to request lot-specific quality testing of their syringe inventory.
The FDA has been warning healthcare providers about malfunctioning plastic syringes made in China since November 2023. According to ECRI, the affected syringes leak, crack, and break, putting patients at risk of receiving incorrect doses of medication, risking injury or death. Healthcare providers have been searching for safe alternatives, however, since most syringes imported to the U.S. are made in China, the issue may cause serious supply chain disruptions.