Insulin Pens and Insulin Cartridges Must Not Be Shared The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration today issued an alert to health
care professionals reminding them that single-patient insulin
pens and insulin cartridges should not be used to administer
medication to multiple patients due to the potential risk of
transmitting blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and the hepatitis
viruses. Insulin pens are pen-shaped injector devices that
contain a disposable needle and either an insulin reservoir or
an insulin cartridge. The devices typically contain enough
insulin for a patient to self-administer several doses of
insulin before the reservoir or cartridge is empty. All insulin
pens are approved only for single-patient use (one device for
only one patient). The FDA is working with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and professional organizations to
address infection control issues related to insulin pens.