Vials of Remdesivir recalled due to glass contamination

Gilead is recalling vials of Remdesivir, a drug used for treating coronavirus patients, due to glass contamination.

The company, also called Veklury, announced Friday it was recalling two lots of Remdesivir after receiving a customer complaint that led to an investigation that showed glass particulates in vials.

Company spokesperson Chris Ridley told Bloomberg News that 55,000 vials were being recalled.

The drug treatment is used for coronavirus patients in hospitals and is "distributed in single dose clear glass vials in powder form and reconstituted at the site of use."

Gilead said the effects of the glass particulates could be as mild as local irritation or swelling or as severe as blocking blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs that could lead to a stroke or death. No severe reactions have been reported from the affected vials.

The company said it is informing hospital pharmacies of the recall and is coordinating the return of affected treatments.

"Hospitals that have Veklury which is being recalled should stop using the affected lots and return the product vials per the instructions," the company stated.

A study in September showed that Remdesivir reduced hospitalizations by 87 percent in high-risk individuals when the virus was detected early, Stat News reported.