Hospira says crystals in cancer drug pose serious risks

Beleaguered Hospira ($HSP) says the crystals found in recalled lots of its ovarian cancer drug, Carboplatin, are Carboplatin crystals and that they pose a serious, even life-threatening risk to patients. In a news release, the maker of generic injectable drugs said if injected, the crystals could potentially cause "local infarction, thromboembolism and vasculitis. Chronically, following sequestration, granulomatous formation in the lungs is possible." The drug was first recalled in July, as part of an extensive voluntary recall of 19 lots of four injectable cancer drugs shipped throughout the U.S. and other drugs shipped to about 15 countries around the world. The company is still in the midst of a $375 million upgrade to a number of its manufacturing plants where the FDA found serious manufacturing issues. Release | More