Microbiology

FDA Warning Letter: Microbiological Data and Quality Unit Deficiencies at Eurofins SF Analytical Laboratories

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FDA states that its June 1–3, 2026 inspection of Eurofins SF Analytical Laboratories’ contract testing facility identified significant finished-drug CGMP violations in microbiological testing and quality oversight. Analysts did not record certain results assessed as too numerous to count and selectively documented results, while cracked and desiccated plates were reported as within limits or as 0 CFU. FDA also observed a colony on a plate recorded as 0 CFU. The procedure did not require secondary verification of initial zero counts, and compromised plates were discarded without secondary review. FDA found that aberrant media conditions were not thoroughly investigated; the firm’s retrospective conclusions relied on interviews and records it acknowledged were unreliable, without photographic evidence of plate conditions. FDA considered the response inadequate because it did not assess effects on certificates of analysis or customers, verify historical data completeness, or commit to discontinuing damaged plates. FDA further stated that the quality unit lacked adequate authority, oversight, and control over laboratory operations and requested independent assessments, CAPA, stronger investigation systems, sample custody controls, photographic documentation, and quality-unit remediation.

FDA Warning Letter: Microbiological OOS Investigations and Quality Unit Oversight at Silgan

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FDA inspected Silgan Unicep Packaging’s Spokane, Washington, drug manufacturing facility from March 26 to April 2, 2026, and reported significant CGMP violations involving non-sterile OTC products. FDA found that the firm inadequately investigated OOS microbiological results for components. Individual yeast and mold failures were invalidated by averaging sample results to obtain passing outcomes, and the sampling plan was revised to permit averaging, which FDA said was inconsistent with USP and could obscure non-uniform contamination. Affected component lots were released and used in distributed product. FDA also found the investigation associated with a Class I recall for potential fungal contamination inadequate: a bioburden-reduction corrective action was ineffective, related change control lacked appropriate validation and evaluation, the manufacturing line lacked cleaning procedures and cleaning validation, and environmental monitoring omitted yeast and mold testing. Separately, FDA said the quality unit failed to ensure supplier test reliability, follow the written stability program, and complete annual product reviews. FDA deemed the responses inadequate because they lacked sufficient scope, supporting evidence, effectiveness verification, product-risk measures, and remediation of systemic quality oversight failures.

EU GMP Non-Compliance: Het Nederlands Kanker Instituut-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis Stichting – Inadequate OOS handling and aseptic controls

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Following inspections on February 10–12 and April 22–23, 2026, the Netherlands Health and Youth Care Inspectorate concluded that the hospital pharmacy was GMP non-compliant, citing one critical, seven major and fourteen other deficiencies. The critical deficiency concerned inadequate OOS handling: registered finished-product batches were released outside moisture or assay limits, and an ATMP was released despite a failed in-process sterility test. Major findings covered incomplete contamination controls, inadequate aseptic process simulations, deficient microbiological investigation and trending, poor cleanroom behaviour and gowning, and weaknesses in the pharmaceutical quality system, computerized system validation, data integrity and documentation. The NCA stated withdrawal of four current GMP certificates, including certificates for Plesmanlaan 121. A reinspection is planned but not yet scheduled; successful reinspection would support a new certificate and withdrawal of the non-compliance statement. For trial EU CT 2023-505039-11-00, the NCA assessed the impact as limited and left market decisions to concerned Member States; no trial suspension was reported.

EU GMP Non-Compliance: Het Nederlands Kanker Instituut-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis Stichting – inadequate OOS handling allowed release of non-compliant batches

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Following its 2026 inspection, the Netherlands Health and Youth Care Inspectorate found the hospital pharmacy GMP non-compliant for sterile, non-sterile, biological and packaging operations. The NCA recorded one critical, seven major and 14 other deficiencies. The critical deficiency concerned an inadequate OOS process: several registered finished-product batches were released outside moisture or assay limits, and an ATMP was released after a failed in-process sterility test; ambiguous procedures could permit certification without adequate investigation or justification. Major findings covered incomplete aseptic controls and contamination strategy, inadequate process simulations, weak microbiological test design, investigation and trending, operator and gowning deficiencies, an insufficient pharmaceutical quality system, inadequate computerized-system validation and data integrity, and poor documentation practices. For the sole EU-facing study, DS-8201a relabeling and repackaging, the NCA considered impact limited but said systemic deficiencies could affect it. It left market decisions to concerned Member States; no trial suspension was stated. The NCA withdrew four GMP certificates and plans an as-yet-unscheduled re-inspection. Positive re-inspection would permit recertification and withdrawal of the statement.

FDA Terminates Haleon Robitussin Recall for Microbial Contamination

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FDA posted Haleon’s January 24, 2024 announcement of a voluntary consumer-level recall of eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Nighttime Adult cough syrups because of microbial contamination. Haleon stated that affected products could potentially cause severe or life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals, while infections requiring medical intervention could not be completely ruled out in other consumers. No related adverse events had been reported at the time of the announcement. Haleon notified distributors and customers, provided return instructions, and advised consumers to stop use immediately. The FDA page now states that the recall has been completed and FDA has terminated it.

Greenwich Rx Recalls Compounded Glutathione for Potential Elevated Endotoxin

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Greenwich Rx, a 503A compounding pharmacy, announced a voluntary nationwide consumer-level recall of ten lots of compounded glutathione injection 200 mg/mL in 10 mL multidose vials because of potential elevated endotoxin levels. The affected product was intended for subcutaneous injection and was distributed to patients from June 26 through September 21, 2026, with beyond-use dates from October 2 through November 12, 2026. The stated risks include fever, hypotension, inflammatory reactions, anaphylactic shock, and death. The company reported that two patients required emergency department care after intravenous administration of a glutathione product not formulated for IV use. Customers were instructed to stop using recalled product and follow disposal directions. The recall is being conducted with FDA’s knowledge.

Centric Compounding Recalls Six Injectable Lots for Elevated Endotoxin

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Centric Compounding voluntarily recalled six lots of compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL, Myer’s Cocktail, and Tri-Immune Boost injectable products to the consumer level after finding that they were compounded with Glutathione API containing elevated endotoxin levels. The affected products are 30 mL multidose vials distributed nationwide to patients and prescribers. The company reported nine accounts of symptoms including fever, chills, chest pain, nausea/vomiting, headache, and/or malaise. It warned that injectable products with elevated endotoxin could cause serious events, including hypotension, inflammatory reactions, anaphylactic shock, and death. Customers are being notified, replacements arranged, and consumers instructed to stop using and discard affected vials.

FDA Warning Letter: Reliance Life Sciences cited for data integrity and aseptic processing deficiencies

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FDA’s February 19–27, 2026 inspection of Reliance Life Sciences’ Navi Mumbai drug facility identified significant CGMP violations involving laboratory data, sterile manufacturing, and quality oversight. FDA found environmental monitoring and other microbiology samples recorded as collected and incubated even though plates were absent and analysts confirmed the samples were not collected. LIMS calculations omitted required dilution factors, while electronic integrity-testing files lacked unique names and were overwritten; testing was also not performed for one plant. FDA said these deficiencies created a risk of underreported microbial findings and unreliable batch-release evidence. In aseptic operations, investigators observed operators blocking unidirectional airflow over critical locations and not discarding potentially compromised vials. FDA also observed deteriorated or damaged manufacturing areas or components, excess sealant near HEPA filters, nonsterile wipes used for cleaning, and standing water and staining near pipelines. FDA deemed the firm’s responses insufficient, citing incomplete remediation detail, traceability, oversight, and timelines. The company agreed to recall all sterile drugs and suspend U.S.-market production; FDA later placed its drugs on Import Alert 66-40.

International regulators assess recombinant endotoxins testing protocol

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FDA states that, through the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities Collaborative Assessment Pilot, it and regulators from Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the European Medicines Agency jointly assessed a recombinant endotoxins testing approach for biological products. The method is an alternative to the horseshoe crab blood-dependent Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test. The submission used a Post-Approval Change Management Protocol covering several biological products across multiple therapy areas. The European Medicines Agency led the review, and the PACMP was approved in June 2026, with participating authorities reaching aligned decisions within days. FDA says the pilot coordinates questions and reviews while preserving independent decisions, aiming to improve consistency, reduce duplication, and support timely access.