BD a leading global medical technology company, announced it is updating the instructions for use of certain BD Vacutainer® tubes as part of its quality process to ensure that customers understand the appropriate uses of these products.
Since BD became aware of the concerns about inaccurate lead test results from Magellan Diagnostics LeadCare® Testing Systems, the company has been cooperating fully with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). BD launched an internal investigation and determined that Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) technology, which is used in Magellan LeadCare testing systems, is not compatible with thiuram, a material found in the rubber stoppers of the BD Vacutainer® EDTA Lavender, Pink and Tan top tubes and BD Vacutainer® Lithium Heparin Green top tubes.
Thiuram has been in these rubber stoppers since 1996, however, the effect of thiuram on lead testing when used with ASV technology was only recently observed through the course of this investigation. As a result, BD is updating the instructions for use of its BD Vacutainer® Lavender, Pink and Tan top tubes and BD Vacutainer® Lithium Heparin Green top tubes to include a precaution that these products are not recommended for lead testing when using Magellan Diagnostics LeadCare® assays employing the ASV methodology, or any other assay employing ASV methodology.
Other lead testing systems, such as graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are not affected by this update. In addition, BD is not aware of any other instrumentation that uses ASV technology. BD Vacutainer® tubes have been on the market for more than 60 years and continue to have a track record of safe and effective use.
Instructions to customers
Please refer to the customer letter for specific information at www.bd.com/en-us/support/alerts-and-notices/bd-edta-tubes-and-litium-heparin-tubes-ifu-update/
There is no need for customers to return any products to BD, and these products can continue to be used in accordance with the updated instructions for use.
Customers should continue to follow FDA’s safety communication for testing lead levels, which currently recommends that no venous blood should be tested with Magellan’s LeadCare test systems (regardless of the collection tube used).
Customers with inquiries related to this action may contact BD at 1-888-237-2762 (select Option #3 and then Option #4), Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT.
