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" A solution used in organ transplant operations may be contaminated with bacteria and is now being recalled. Manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has proposed a precautionary recall of all batches of Viaspan that have been produced since July 4th 2011, after contamination was found at a manufacturing plant. However, transplant centres have reported no adverse effects in patients who have recently had transplants using the solution. Professor Dame Sally Davies, England&amp;#039;s chief medical officer, revealed: &amp;#039;The manufacturer has advised that, where necessary, Viaspan can continue to be used until transplant teams have stocks of alternative products and patients are prescribed an antibiotic known to be effective against the contaminant as a precation.&amp;#039; Professor Sir Kent Woods, chief executive of the UK&amp;#039;s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said the regulator has alerted transplant centres and surgeons and is working closely with the NHS to obtain alternative products for transplant operations. He added: &amp;#039;We support the decision to use Viaspan if it is clinically appropriate for patients and there are no alternatives available.&amp;#039; Thousands of transplant operations are performed each year in the UK, with figures showing some 1,500 people undergo kidney transplants annually while a further 700 patients receive a replacement liver. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a22252/transplant-organ-solution-contaminated-with-bacteria/>