Medtronic SynchroMed
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
UK MHRA alert cites five instances of the implantable drug pump malfunctioning following use with diamorphine. While the firm stresses that such use is off-label, the healthcare agency notes the drug was omitted from an updated list of incompatible medications provided by the company last October. Medtronic plans to update the UK list to include diamorphine, which is banned in the U.S. MHRA released a similar alert following the initial pump "Educational Brief," citing inclusion of pump-compatible medications not approved for intrathecal use, as well as other additives that could damage the device (1"The Gray Sheet" Nov. 11, 2002, p. 12) ...
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