Hospira recalls more lidocaine with rust embedded in vials

Hospira recalled a single lot of the pain suppressor lidocaine last spring, saying particles of iron oxide had been spotted in some vials. The drugmaker has added another 100,200 vials to its recall for the same reason.

According to the most recent FDA Enforcement Report, Hospira is voluntarily recalling a second lot of its 1% lidocaine injection after particulate matter identified as iron oxide was found embedded in the neck of glass vials.

The sterile injectable maker in recent years has led in U.S. recalls of drugs. A sampling of its recalls this year include nearly 40 million vials of the surgical painkiller ketorolac tromethamine, 314,600 bags of 0.9% sodium chloride and 126,075 vials of propofol. Particulate or leaky bags were sometimes the reason, but it recalled 181,704 bags of magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose that potentially bore labels indicating they were the blood thinner heparin.

But where these recalls previously were the sole responsibility of Hospira, the fallout now must be shouldered by Pfizer ($PFE). The New York-based Big Pharma player last month closed its $15 billion deal for Hospira, folding it into its established products division.

- here's the Hospira recall