December 2020 FDA Recall Zerbaxa by Merck Sharp & Dohme
D-0176-2021 - Lack of assurance of sterility

This Class II drug recall was voluntarily initiated by Merck Sharp & Dohme on December 21, 2020 for the product Zerbaxa. The FDA reported the reason for recall as lack of assurance of sterility. The product was distributed Nationwide and the recall is currently terminated.

Recall Number: D-0176-2021

Reason for Recall
Lack of assurance of sterility: The results of sterility tests of seven batches of product were out of specification. Five of these batches tested positive for Ralstonia pickettii and two batches produced turbid results that could not be further identified. While all product distributed to the market has met the registered specifications for release, including for sterility, it was manufactured on the same equipment as the affected batches.
Initiated
12-21-2020
Reported
01-13-2021
Quantity
106,503 vials

Recall Profile & Regulatory Data

Event ID About Event ID
Numerical designation assigned by FDA to a specific recall event.
87018
Classification About Classification
Relative degree of health hazard assigned by FDA.
Class II - is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote
Enforcement Status About Enforcement Status
Current regulatory stage of the recall event.
Terminated
Recalling Firm About Recalling Firm
The firm responsible for the recall.
Merck Sharp & Dohme
Voluntary / Mandated About Voluntary / Mandated
Indicates if the firm acted on its own or under FDA order.
Voluntary: Firm initiated
Product Type About Product Type
Broad category of product being recalled.
Drugs
Initial Notification About Initial Notification
Method by which the firm first notified the public.
Letter
Distribution Pattern About Distribution Pattern
General area of initial distribution.
U.S.A. Nationwide
Termination Date About Termination Date
Date that FDA officially terminated the recall.
12-04-2023
Product Description About Product Description
Full technical description of the product.
Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam) 1.5g per vial for injection, Single-Dose vial, Rx only, Manuf. for: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., NDC 67919-030-01

Batch or Lot Expiration Information

Lot# All lots within expiry: SP1488 08-Jun-21; SP1490 11-Jun-21; SP1492 13-Jun-21; SP1493 15-Jun-21; SP1494 21-Jun-21; SP1495 23-Jun-21; SP1496 25-Jun-21; SP1497 27-Jun-21; SP1498 29-Jun-21; SP1509 20-Sep-21; SP1510 26-Sep-21; SP1515 16-Oct-21; SP1517 23-Oct-21; SP1518 25-Oct-21; SP1519 30-Oct-21; SP1520 01-Nov-21; SP1521 06-Nov-21; SP1522 08-Nov-21; SP1523;13-Nov-21; SP1524; 15-Nov-21; SP1525 20-Nov-21; SP1526 27-Nov-21; SP1537 11-Jan-22; SP1564 17-Oct-22; SP1567 16-Oct-22; SP1572 24-Oct-22; SP1573; 28-Oct-22; SP1574 29-Oct-22; SP1584; 14-Nov-22; SP1586; 15-Nov-22; SP1588; 19-Nov-22; SP1593 03-Dec-22; SP1602 18-Dec-22; SP1603; 19-Dec-22; SP1606 08-Jan-23; SP1609 15-Jan-23; SP1610 20-Jan-23; SP1611 22-Jan-23; SP1626 13-Apr-23; SP1629 17-Apr-23; SP1633 21-Apr-23

Affected Packages Involved in this Recall

67919-030-01 Zerbaxa