Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Medical Centers Used Contaminated Products

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has potential sterilization and contamination issues. Approximately 25% of VA medical centers and their outpatient mail-order pharmacy used various products, including alcohol prep pads, which were found to have been recalled due to contamination. That group of products is believed to be responsible for a serious of infections and even a death.

Once again the VA has to answer questions about possible infection problems, and Senator Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) had some of his own issues he wanted to address. There were hundreds of products named in the recall, all in the name of possible bacterial contamination. Sen. Bennett asked the VA if any veterans were in any way affected or injured by the recalled products.

The prep pads and other products in question were found to exist in 38 of the country's 152 major VA medical centers. Additionally, the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy, which fills more than 97 million prescriptions a year, stopped shipping the named products.

There were about 1,500 boxes worth of products taken out of circulation. To date, no veterans have been found to have suffered infections due to these products.

Despite knowing about the recall, some VA medical centers continued to allow patients to use the wipes. Further, VA centers did not immediately notify veterans about the recall.

The manufacturers' plants are still closed, and will remain so throughout the FDA's investigations. Meanwhile, there is still no answer as to how many veterans have been affected by the recalled products.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.