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http://www.pharmalot.com/2011/07/is-that-plastic-shrink-wrap-in-your-merck-vaccine/

oh man - but probably the least of your worries - all else in the vaccine

and how it works in your body is even worse

• Pharma Blog » 2011 » July » 29

Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?

13 Comments

By Ed Silverman // July

29th, 2011 // 12:13 pm

As if Merck does not have enough problems with vaccine production, the

drugmaker apparently distributed charred bits of plastic shrink wrap in

vials of various vaccines - including Gardasil for preventing HPV

infection, Varivax for chicken pox, Pneumovax for pneumococcal disease,

Zostavax for shingles and MMR II for measles, mumps and rubella,

according to

Dow .

In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter about manufacturing problems at

Merck’s West Point, Pa., plant

(

read here). Since then, FDA inspection reports have cited more

problems: the presence of metal particles in certain products, cracks in

vaccine vials and delays in Merck’s reporting adverse event from products

made at the plant to the FDA, Dow writes.

The drugmaker maintains most problems have been resolved, but there were

no subsequent health problems and the FDA has not issued another warning

letter. Dow , by the way, obtained the inspection reports, known as

Form 483s, from the FDA under the Freedom of Information Act. “We do have

a complex operation,” , vp of vaccines product and

technical operations, tells Dow . “What we are seeing is that the

severity and criticality of observations (by the FDA) are declining. What

we’ve seen in the last few inspections tells us we’re on the right

track.”

The problems are crucial to Merck, which is struggling to replenish its

pharma product portfolio and jumpstart the vaccine business. Through the

first half of the year, vaccine sales accounted for nearly 7 percent of

$23.7 billion in revenue

(

look here). But vaccine production has been troubled for some

time.

Over the past couple of years, Merck has struggled to maintain supplies

of Vaqta for hepatitis A, ProQuad for MMR, Zostavax for shingles and

Recombivax for hepatitis B

(

see here for the latest). And a year ago, Merck was finally able to

restore production of all pediatric vaccines for the first time since

2007

(

read this).

But how did pieces of protective shrink wrap find their way into incoming

glass vials? The shrink wrap was not removed during washing and was

subsequently charred during a heat-based sterilization process, according

to an FDA inspection report in April, Dow writes, adding that some

vials made their to customers.

Since November 2009, Merck has submitted to the FDA at least 12 reports

of charred shrink wrap found in vaccines, according to the FDA report.

Eight arose from consumer complaints, and four stemmed from internal

sample testing. Merck responded by switching from shrink-wrap to plastic

or cardboard trays for incoming vials for a majority of its products,

tells Dow .

But in its April inspection report, the FDA said shrink wrap was still

being used for some incoming vials, which the agency said made Merck’s

initial response inadequate

(see the report).

said Merck expected to abandon shrink wrap on all incoming vials

by year’s end. The FDA report also said patient safety risks associated

with the charred shrink wrap couldn’t be ruled out. denied there

have reports of adverse events associated with the shrink wrap, Dow

writes.

In May, Merck sent a letter to doctors advising them to look for brown

particles in its vaccines as well as in vials of Antivenin, a treatment

for black-widow spider bites. The drugmaker said small pieces of the

shrink wrap, which it called an “inert carbon material,” can stick to the

inside of product vials and turn brown during the sterilization process.

Merck said the particles could lead to injection-site reactions, but

should not affect sterility or potency. The drugmaker insists the

particles were observed in very rare cases - less than one in six million

vials overall.

In August 2010, an FDA inspector accused Merck of not reporting to the

agency certain adverse events associated with patient use of its drugs

within the required 15 calendar days

(here is the

report). said Merck is working to improve its on-time

reporting of adverse events, and that it currently exceeds the industry

average. Some adverse events are reported late because they take longer

to investigate

In February 2009, an inspector found metal particles in certain products,

as well as cracked vials. The report said Merck should have done more to

investigate and address the causes of these problems

(read the report

here). Also, Merck had received complaints from doctors regarding

bubbling and foaming in vials of certain vaccines. tells Dow

these problems have been resolved.

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start September 9

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http://www.pharmalot.com/2011/07/is-that-plastic-shrink-wrap-in-your-merck-vaccine/

oh man - but probably the least of your worries - all else in the vaccine

and how it works in your body is even worse

• Pharma Blog » 2011 » July » 29

Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?

13 Comments

By Ed Silverman // July

29th, 2011 // 12:13 pm

As if Merck does not have enough problems with vaccine production, the

drugmaker apparently distributed charred bits of plastic shrink wrap in

vials of various vaccines - including Gardasil for preventing HPV

infection, Varivax for chicken pox, Pneumovax for pneumococcal disease,

Zostavax for shingles and MMR II for measles, mumps and rubella,

according to

Dow .

In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter about manufacturing problems at

Merck’s West Point, Pa., plant

(

read here). Since then, FDA inspection reports have cited more

problems: the presence of metal particles in certain products, cracks in

vaccine vials and delays in Merck’s reporting adverse event from products

made at the plant to the FDA, Dow writes.

The drugmaker maintains most problems have been resolved, but there were

no subsequent health problems and the FDA has not issued another warning

letter. Dow , by the way, obtained the inspection reports, known as

Form 483s, from the FDA under the Freedom of Information Act. “We do have

a complex operation,” , vp of vaccines product and

technical operations, tells Dow . “What we are seeing is that the

severity and criticality of observations (by the FDA) are declining. What

we’ve seen in the last few inspections tells us we’re on the right

track.”

The problems are crucial to Merck, which is struggling to replenish its

pharma product portfolio and jumpstart the vaccine business. Through the

first half of the year, vaccine sales accounted for nearly 7 percent of

$23.7 billion in revenue

(

look here). But vaccine production has been troubled for some

time.

Over the past couple of years, Merck has struggled to maintain supplies

of Vaqta for hepatitis A, ProQuad for MMR, Zostavax for shingles and

Recombivax for hepatitis B

(

see here for the latest). And a year ago, Merck was finally able to

restore production of all pediatric vaccines for the first time since

2007

(

read this).

But how did pieces of protective shrink wrap find their way into incoming

glass vials? The shrink wrap was not removed during washing and was

subsequently charred during a heat-based sterilization process, according

to an FDA inspection report in April, Dow writes, adding that some

vials made their to customers.

Since November 2009, Merck has submitted to the FDA at least 12 reports

of charred shrink wrap found in vaccines, according to the FDA report.

Eight arose from consumer complaints, and four stemmed from internal

sample testing. Merck responded by switching from shrink-wrap to plastic

or cardboard trays for incoming vials for a majority of its products,

tells Dow .

But in its April inspection report, the FDA said shrink wrap was still

being used for some incoming vials, which the agency said made Merck’s

initial response inadequate

(see the report).

said Merck expected to abandon shrink wrap on all incoming vials

by year’s end. The FDA report also said patient safety risks associated

with the charred shrink wrap couldn’t be ruled out. denied there

have reports of adverse events associated with the shrink wrap, Dow

writes.

In May, Merck sent a letter to doctors advising them to look for brown

particles in its vaccines as well as in vials of Antivenin, a treatment

for black-widow spider bites. The drugmaker said small pieces of the

shrink wrap, which it called an “inert carbon material,” can stick to the

inside of product vials and turn brown during the sterilization process.

Merck said the particles could lead to injection-site reactions, but

should not affect sterility or potency. The drugmaker insists the

particles were observed in very rare cases - less than one in six million

vials overall.

In August 2010, an FDA inspector accused Merck of not reporting to the

agency certain adverse events associated with patient use of its drugs

within the required 15 calendar days

(here is the

report). said Merck is working to improve its on-time

reporting of adverse events, and that it currently exceeds the industry

average. Some adverse events are reported late because they take longer

to investigate

In February 2009, an inspector found metal particles in certain products,

as well as cracked vials. The report said Merck should have done more to

investigate and address the causes of these problems

(read the report

here). Also, Merck had received complaints from doctors regarding

bubbling and foaming in vials of certain vaccines. tells Dow

these problems have been resolved.

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start September 9

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest guest

http://www.pharmalot.com/2011/07/is-that-plastic-shrink-wrap-in-your-merck-vaccine/

oh man - but probably the least of your worries - all else in the vaccine

and how it works in your body is even worse

• Pharma Blog » 2011 » July » 29

Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?

13 Comments

By Ed Silverman // July

29th, 2011 // 12:13 pm

As if Merck does not have enough problems with vaccine production, the

drugmaker apparently distributed charred bits of plastic shrink wrap in

vials of various vaccines - including Gardasil for preventing HPV

infection, Varivax for chicken pox, Pneumovax for pneumococcal disease,

Zostavax for shingles and MMR II for measles, mumps and rubella,

according to

Dow .

In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter about manufacturing problems at

Merck’s West Point, Pa., plant

(

read here). Since then, FDA inspection reports have cited more

problems: the presence of metal particles in certain products, cracks in

vaccine vials and delays in Merck’s reporting adverse event from products

made at the plant to the FDA, Dow writes.

The drugmaker maintains most problems have been resolved, but there were

no subsequent health problems and the FDA has not issued another warning

letter. Dow , by the way, obtained the inspection reports, known as

Form 483s, from the FDA under the Freedom of Information Act. “We do have

a complex operation,” , vp of vaccines product and

technical operations, tells Dow . “What we are seeing is that the

severity and criticality of observations (by the FDA) are declining. What

we’ve seen in the last few inspections tells us we’re on the right

track.”

The problems are crucial to Merck, which is struggling to replenish its

pharma product portfolio and jumpstart the vaccine business. Through the

first half of the year, vaccine sales accounted for nearly 7 percent of

$23.7 billion in revenue

(

look here). But vaccine production has been troubled for some

time.

Over the past couple of years, Merck has struggled to maintain supplies

of Vaqta for hepatitis A, ProQuad for MMR, Zostavax for shingles and

Recombivax for hepatitis B

(

see here for the latest). And a year ago, Merck was finally able to

restore production of all pediatric vaccines for the first time since

2007

(

read this).

But how did pieces of protective shrink wrap find their way into incoming

glass vials? The shrink wrap was not removed during washing and was

subsequently charred during a heat-based sterilization process, according

to an FDA inspection report in April, Dow writes, adding that some

vials made their to customers.

Since November 2009, Merck has submitted to the FDA at least 12 reports

of charred shrink wrap found in vaccines, according to the FDA report.

Eight arose from consumer complaints, and four stemmed from internal

sample testing. Merck responded by switching from shrink-wrap to plastic

or cardboard trays for incoming vials for a majority of its products,

tells Dow .

But in its April inspection report, the FDA said shrink wrap was still

being used for some incoming vials, which the agency said made Merck’s

initial response inadequate

(see the report).

said Merck expected to abandon shrink wrap on all incoming vials

by year’s end. The FDA report also said patient safety risks associated

with the charred shrink wrap couldn’t be ruled out. denied there

have reports of adverse events associated with the shrink wrap, Dow

writes.

In May, Merck sent a letter to doctors advising them to look for brown

particles in its vaccines as well as in vials of Antivenin, a treatment

for black-widow spider bites. The drugmaker said small pieces of the

shrink wrap, which it called an “inert carbon material,” can stick to the

inside of product vials and turn brown during the sterilization process.

Merck said the particles could lead to injection-site reactions, but

should not affect sterility or potency. The drugmaker insists the

particles were observed in very rare cases - less than one in six million

vials overall.

In August 2010, an FDA inspector accused Merck of not reporting to the

agency certain adverse events associated with patient use of its drugs

within the required 15 calendar days

(here is the

report). said Merck is working to improve its on-time

reporting of adverse events, and that it currently exceeds the industry

average. Some adverse events are reported late because they take longer

to investigate

In February 2009, an inspector found metal particles in certain products,

as well as cracked vials. The report said Merck should have done more to

investigate and address the causes of these problems

(read the report

here). Also, Merck had received complaints from doctors regarding

bubbling and foaming in vials of certain vaccines. tells Dow

these problems have been resolved.

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start September 9

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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http://www.pharmalot.com/2011/07/is-that-plastic-shrink-wrap-in-your-merck-vaccine/

oh man - but probably the least of your worries - all else in the vaccine

and how it works in your body is even worse

• Pharma Blog » 2011 » July » 29

Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?

13 Comments

By Ed Silverman // July

29th, 2011 // 12:13 pm

As if Merck does not have enough problems with vaccine production, the

drugmaker apparently distributed charred bits of plastic shrink wrap in

vials of various vaccines - including Gardasil for preventing HPV

infection, Varivax for chicken pox, Pneumovax for pneumococcal disease,

Zostavax for shingles and MMR II for measles, mumps and rubella,

according to

Dow .

In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter about manufacturing problems at

Merck’s West Point, Pa., plant

(

read here). Since then, FDA inspection reports have cited more

problems: the presence of metal particles in certain products, cracks in

vaccine vials and delays in Merck’s reporting adverse event from products

made at the plant to the FDA, Dow writes.

The drugmaker maintains most problems have been resolved, but there were

no subsequent health problems and the FDA has not issued another warning

letter. Dow , by the way, obtained the inspection reports, known as

Form 483s, from the FDA under the Freedom of Information Act. “We do have

a complex operation,” , vp of vaccines product and

technical operations, tells Dow . “What we are seeing is that the

severity and criticality of observations (by the FDA) are declining. What

we’ve seen in the last few inspections tells us we’re on the right

track.”

The problems are crucial to Merck, which is struggling to replenish its

pharma product portfolio and jumpstart the vaccine business. Through the

first half of the year, vaccine sales accounted for nearly 7 percent of

$23.7 billion in revenue

(

look here). But vaccine production has been troubled for some

time.

Over the past couple of years, Merck has struggled to maintain supplies

of Vaqta for hepatitis A, ProQuad for MMR, Zostavax for shingles and

Recombivax for hepatitis B

(

see here for the latest). And a year ago, Merck was finally able to

restore production of all pediatric vaccines for the first time since

2007

(

read this).

But how did pieces of protective shrink wrap find their way into incoming

glass vials? The shrink wrap was not removed during washing and was

subsequently charred during a heat-based sterilization process, according

to an FDA inspection report in April, Dow writes, adding that some

vials made their to customers.

Since November 2009, Merck has submitted to the FDA at least 12 reports

of charred shrink wrap found in vaccines, according to the FDA report.

Eight arose from consumer complaints, and four stemmed from internal

sample testing. Merck responded by switching from shrink-wrap to plastic

or cardboard trays for incoming vials for a majority of its products,

tells Dow .

But in its April inspection report, the FDA said shrink wrap was still

being used for some incoming vials, which the agency said made Merck’s

initial response inadequate

(see the report).

said Merck expected to abandon shrink wrap on all incoming vials

by year’s end. The FDA report also said patient safety risks associated

with the charred shrink wrap couldn’t be ruled out. denied there

have reports of adverse events associated with the shrink wrap, Dow

writes.

In May, Merck sent a letter to doctors advising them to look for brown

particles in its vaccines as well as in vials of Antivenin, a treatment

for black-widow spider bites. The drugmaker said small pieces of the

shrink wrap, which it called an “inert carbon material,” can stick to the

inside of product vials and turn brown during the sterilization process.

Merck said the particles could lead to injection-site reactions, but

should not affect sterility or potency. The drugmaker insists the

particles were observed in very rare cases - less than one in six million

vials overall.

In August 2010, an FDA inspector accused Merck of not reporting to the

agency certain adverse events associated with patient use of its drugs

within the required 15 calendar days

(here is the

report). said Merck is working to improve its on-time

reporting of adverse events, and that it currently exceeds the industry

average. Some adverse events are reported late because they take longer

to investigate

In February 2009, an inspector found metal particles in certain products,

as well as cracked vials. The report said Merck should have done more to

investigate and address the causes of these problems

(read the report

here). Also, Merck had received complaints from doctors regarding

bubbling and foaming in vials of certain vaccines. tells Dow

these problems have been resolved.

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start September 9

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Share on other sites

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How ironic that the plastic was in there precisely because they were trying to clean the vials. I wonder what other unwanted things are in there that can't be seen with the naked eye!

Winnie Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?Recipient list suppressed: ;> http://www.pharmalot.com/2011/07/is-that-plastic-shrink-wrap-in-> your-merck-vaccine/> oh man - but probably the least of your worries - > all else in the vaccine and how it works in your body is even worse> > • Pharma Blog » 2011 » July » 29> > Is That Plastic Shrink Wrap In Your Merck Vaccine?> > > your-merck-vaccine/#comments>13 > Comments> > By Ed Silverman // > July 29th, 2011 // 12:13 pm> > As if Merck does not have enough problems with > vaccine production, the drugmaker apparently > distributed charred bits of plastic shrink wrap > in vials of various vaccines - including Gardasil > for preventing HPV infection, Varivax for chicken > pox, Pneumovax for pneumococcal disease, Zostavax > for shingles and MMR II for measles, mumps and > rubella, according to > > story.aspx?storyid=201107281824dowjonesdjonline000835 & title=update-fda-faults-merck-plant-for-charred-shrink-wrap-in-vaccine-vials>Dow > .> > In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter about > manufacturing problems at Merck’s West Point, > Pa., plant > (read > here). Since then, FDA inspection reports have > cited more problems: the presence of metal > particles in certain products, cracks in vaccine > vials and delays in Merck’s reporting adverse > event from products made at the plant to the FDA, Dow writes.> > The drugmaker maintains most problems have been > resolved, but there were no subsequent health > problems and the FDA has not issued another > warning letter. Dow , by the way, obtained > the inspection reports, known as Form 483s, from > the FDA under the Freedom of Information Act. “We > do have a complex operation,” , vp > of vaccines product and technical operations, > tells Dow . “What we are seeing is that the > severity and criticality of observations (by the > FDA) are declining. What we’ve seen in the last > few inspections tells us we’re on the right track.”> > The problems are crucial to Merck, which is > struggling to replenish its pharma product > portfolio and jumpstart the vaccine business. > Through the first half of the year, vaccine sales > accounted for nearly 7 percent of $23.7 billion > in revenue > (> archive/financial/2011_0729.html>look > here). But vaccine production has been troubled for some time.> > Over the past couple of years, Merck has > struggled to maintain supplies of Vaqta for > hepatitis A, ProQuad for MMR, Zostavax for > shingles and Recombivax for hepatitis B > (> status.aspx?tcode=T006N & WT.mc_id=T006N & cust_id=999999999 & cmpgn_id=1-3273541321 & offer_id=1-3273541307>see > here for the latest). And a year ago, Merck was > finally able to restore production of all > pediatric vaccines for the first time since 2007 > (> supplies-of-pediatric-vaccines/>read > this).> > But how did pieces of protective shrink wrap find > their way into incoming glass vials? The shrink > wrap was not removed during washing and was > subsequently charred during a heat-based > sterilization process, according to an FDA > inspection report in April, Dow writes, > adding that some vials made their to customers.> > Since November 2009, Merck has submitted to the > FDA at least 12 reports of charred shrink wrap > found in vaccines, according to the FDA report. > Eight arose from consumer complaints, and four > stemmed from internal sample testing. Merck > responded by switching from shrink-wrap to > plastic or cardboard trays for incoming vials for > a majority of its products, tells Dow .> > But in its April inspection report, the FDA said > shrink wrap was still being used for some > incoming vials, which the agency said made > Merck’s initial response inadequate > (see > the report). said Merck expected to > abandon shrink wrap on all incoming vials by > year’s end. The FDA report also said patient > safety risks associated with the charred shrink > wrap couldn’t be ruled out. denied there > have reports of adverse events associated with > the shrink wrap, Dow writes.> > In May, Merck sent a letter to doctors advising > them to look for brown particles in its vaccines > as well as in vials of Antivenin, a treatment for > black-widow spider bites. The drugmaker said > small pieces of the shrink wrap, which it called > an “inert carbon material,” can stick to the > inside of product vials and turn brown during the > sterilization process. Merck said the particles > could lead to injection-site reactions, but > should not affect sterility or potency. The > drugmaker insists the particles were observed in > very rare cases - less than one in six million vials overall.> > In August 2010, an FDA inspector accused Merck of > not reporting to the agency certain adverse > events associated with patient use of its drugs > within the required 15 calendar days > (here > is the report). said Merck is working to > improve its on-time reporting of adverse events, > and that it currently exceeds the industry > average. Some adverse events are reported late > because they take longer to investigate> > In February 2009, an inspector found metal > particles in certain products, as well as cracked > vials. The report said Merck should have done > more to investigate and address the causes of > these problems > (read > the report here). Also, Merck had received > complaints from doctors regarding bubbling and > foaming in vials of certain vaccines. > tells Dow these problems have been resolved.> > Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath> Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA> Vaccines - > http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ > Homeopathy http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com> Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & > Homeopathy Online/email courses - next classes start September 9>

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