From
The Associated Press:
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A maker of the potent anesthetic
propofol found in Michael Jackson's home has been contacted by federal officials investigating the pop star's death and has recalled tens of thousands of vials of the drug after two tainted lots sickened dozens of patients.
There is no apparent connection between the bacterial contamination that prompted the recall and Jackson's death. Teva Pharmaceuticals spokeswoman Denise Bradley told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Propofol usually is administered intravenously in hospitals to patients who need to be unconscious for surgery or other procedures.
Teva announced it was recalling two lots of propofol — 57,620 vials in all — after concluding bacterial contamination caused up to 40 patients in Florida, Arizona and Missouri to develop fevers and chills since May. Investigators believe vials were distributed nationally and are urging doctors not to use any propofol from the two lots.
FDA investigators arrived Monday at the Teva plant in Irvine, Calif., where the suspect lots were made and were looking for any irregularities in the manufacturing process, Riley said.
Investigators believe that bacteria in vials of the anesthetic released toxins into the drug which caused the fever, Srinivasan said.