Genentech: Despite alcohol prep pads recall, drugs are safe to use

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Biotech company Genentech advised consumers to avoid alcohol prep pads distributed with some of its drugs due to possible contamination.

Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, said users of its drugs should not use prep pads made by Triad Group, but that the drugs themselves were still safe to use. Triad Group recently recalled several of its pads due to contamination, prompting Bayer HealthCare to issue a similar warning.

Genentech said patients could use prep pads not affected by the recall instead, or use sterile gauze treated with isopropyl alcohol.