Needles used to detect breast cancer in shortage from recall
The Food and Drug Administration said that the US is experiencing a shortage of breast biopsy needles after Hologic Inc. recalled the products earlier this year, potentially causing delays in diagnosing the most common cancer in women. The shortage is expected to last through March 2027, the FDA said in a statement . It advised doctors to take measures to conserve their supply of needles. Hologic started a recall in January following reports of metal and plastic pieces dislodging from the needles and getting stuck in patients’ bodies. The company, which was acquired in April by funds managed by Blackstone Inc. and TPG Inc., said at the time of the recall that an internal review of nearly 700,000 needles over a three-year period revealed 108 complaints. The stereotactic biopsy needles are used to take tissue samples from suspicious masses. They’re connected to a small vacuum that uses pressure to quickly remove a tissue sample, according to a...