Novartis recalls Sandimmune and Neoral prescription drug blister packages

Novartis Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J., is recalling about 73,000 packages of Sandimmune soft gelatin capsules and Neoral soft gelatin capsules prescription drug blister packages.

The prescription drug packaging is not child resistant as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

No incidents or injuries are reported.

This recall involves blister packages of prescription medications Sandimmune (cyclosporine capsules, USP) 100 mg soft gelatin capsules and Neoral (cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED 100 mg soft gelatin capsules from Novartis.

Packages of Sandimmune 100 mg contain three blister cards with ten soft gelatin capsules per card and packages of Neoral 100 mg contain five blister cards with six soft gelatin capsules per card.

The recalled blister packages have “Novartis,” the name of the medication, dosage, NDC, lot number and expiration date on the outer package and on the blister cards.

Only 100 mg doses of these medications with the following NDC and lot numbers and expiration dates are included in this recall:

The medications, manufactured in the U.S., were sold at clinics and pharmacies nationwide as a prescribed medicine from March 2018, through March 2020, at prices varying based on quantities prescribed, health insurance terms, and other factors.

What to do

Consumers should immediately move the product out of the sight and reach of children and contact the firm to request a free child-resistant pouch in which to store the blister package medications. Consumers can continue to use the medication as directed. The child-resistant pouches should be used to store these medications until new child-resistant blister packaging is available.

Consumers may contact Novartis toll-free at (866) 629-6182 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) daily, by email at Novartis5060@stericycle.com or online at https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/news/statements/corrective-action-certain-100-mg-sandimmune-and-neoral-blister-packages-us for more information.