BD’s North Canaan plant has increased its output of syringes by more than 40% to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare customers after the FDA launched an ongoing investigation into quality issues with plastic syringes made in China.
NORTH CANAAN — Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has ramped up its production of syringes at its North Canaan plant in response to quality issues with plastic syringes imported from China which were uncovered late last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BD, a leading global medical technology company and Northwest Connecticut’s largest employer, responded to the FDA’s recommendation that consumers, healthcare providers and healthcare facilities transition away from plastic syringes made in China by increasing its domestic manufacturing of syringes at the company’s Connecticut and Nebraska facilities.
Since January, BD’s 385,000-square-foot North Canaan plant has increased its output of syringes “by over 40% to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare customers,” according to Fallon McLoughlin, director of public relations and corporate communications for the Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based company.
“BD has achieved this increase by driving operational efficiencies and relocating some production lines from other BD plants,” said McLoughin.
“We’ve added over 100 full-time associates in the last year, and currently have more than 500 full-time associates and nearly 50 contingent associates,” she said of the North Canaan site, which began its operations in 1961 with eight employees at a 25,000-square-foot facility.
BD draws its employees from throughout Northwest Connecticut and neighboring New York.
McLaughlin noted that its Connecticut plant primarily manufactures small-size syringes, and syringe and needle combination products that are “critical to the delivery of healthcare.”
Operations take place around the clock, producing more than 2 billion medical devices each year that are sold in every region worldwide.
Responding to consumer needs
In March, Eric Borin, president of BD Medication Delivery Solutions, announced a statement saying: “BD has the capacity to support additional syringe demand and is further increasing U.S. production to help ensure continuity of patient care.”
Since the initial FDA safety communication in November 2023, he noted, “BD has increased domestic manufacturing of syringes in our Nebraska and Connecticut facilities to respond to customer needs. Ensuring the safety and quality of our products is the top priority at BD.”
Borin further noted at the time that “The latest FDA safety communication does not include any BD syringes. Over our more than 125-year history, we have served the health care system’s need for essential high quality medical products, including manufacturing 2 billion additional syringes and needles to support the global pandemic response to COVID-19.”
Syringe manufacturers in China cited
In late November 2023, the FDA announced its probe into reports of leaks, breakages and other quality problems with plastic syringes manufactured in China “that are used for injecting fluids into or withdrawing fluids from, the body,” according to the health regulator.
On March 14, the FDA issued an update on warning letters sent to three entities: Jiangsu Shenli Medical Production Co. Ltd, Medline Industries, LP and Sol-Millennium Medical Inc., describing violations related to the “sale and distribution of unauthorized plastic syringes that had not been cleared or approved by the FDA,” according to a new release.
“In addition, we are actively evaluating quality issues and performance testing failures with plastic syringes made by Jiangsu Caina Medical Co Ltd., a China-based manufacturer sited in the warning letter issued to Medline Industries, LP. The FDA will take additional steps as appropriate,” the FDA stated.
In its August 16 update, the FDA continued to recommend that healthcare providers “use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible.
“At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use alternative syringes and closely monitor for leaks, breakage and other problems,” the FDA announced.
In March, BD was named to Fortune’s 2024 list of America’s Most Innovative Companies, and in September, the company announced that it had been named to TIME’s 2024 list of the World’s Best Companies based on employee feedback.
BD’s operations in North Canaan have also been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for achieving the Energy Star Challenge for Industry for energy reduction. The site is a landfill-free site where waste is reduced, recycled or converted into energy.
Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.
LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.
The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.
Michael Klemens, chair of P&Z, had warned at the opening of the proceedings that “this might be a long night” due to a last-minute influx of material from experts hired by Wells Hill Road residents William and Angela Cruger to oppose the project, but this turned out not to be the case.
These 11th hour submissions set a sour tone to the start of the meeting, with commissioner Robert Riva stating that it was “not very professional to pull this stunt on this Commission.” Riva said he had diligently reviewed the already substantial documentation provided by both the applicant and the opposing experts, and was surprised to find a “dump” of additional information submitted just hours before the meeting’s start time at 6 p.m.
Tensions were quickly eased, however, when William Cruger offered his concise summation of his platform’s opposition to the expansion, which is the second iteration of the project after an earlier version was withdrawn late last year.
“It’s important for you all to hear from me that there was never any disrespect intended to the Commission, the commissioners, and to the process,” Cruger said. He defended the last-minute submissions as an effort on the part of the experts to be thorough in their analysis: “Our intention… has been and remains to do our best to get whatever we think will be helpful in your deliberations into the record.”
The Crugers formally entered the hearing process as intervenors for the first application from Aradev LLC, the applicant, in the fall of 2024, meaning they and their hired consultants had full party status in the hearing proceedings. During this cycle, however, they chose not to petition for intervenor status, yet during this round of hearings their role has been similar. Klemens described them as having “almost intervenor status — not quite.”
William Cruger summarized the consultant’s findings for Aradev’s revised application, noting they found it to be “virtually identical in scale to the previous proposal.”
“Our position is that the proposed expansion would absolutely negatively impact the usefulness, enjoyment and value of the surrounding properties,” he said.
Aradev’s attorney Joshua Mackey countered by saying that the special permit conditions would elevate the currently non-conforming hotel in the zone, describing it as a “community asset that is improved, regulated, and safeguarded for generations to come.” He characterized Aradev as “the next steward of this storied property.”
After Mackey and Aradev co-founder Steven Cohen concluded their remarks, Klemens closed the hearing with no public comment, which he had stated would be the case at last week’s hearing session on Thursday, Sept. 4. Klemens said that P&Z will begin deliberating the proposal in early October after the commissioners have had the chance to review the information in the record.
A total of 45 letters, including the Crugers’ experts’ testimony, were submitted since the Sept. 4 meeting alone, alongside hundreds of pages of application materials and additional testimony.
As the Commission deliberates and reviews, all of this information is available for public viewing on the “Meeting Documents” subpage under P&Z’s section on the town website, www.salisburyct.us.
The Commission must issue a decision on the application by Nov. 13, the end of the statutorily defined deliberation window.
The Weavery is Stanton Home’s oldest activity space, featuring a collection of vintage and modern floor looms. It offers opportunities for building dexterity, creative expression, and social connection through fiber arts.
Stanton Home is holding its annual Harvest Roast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Great Barrington, an evening of farm-to-table dining, live swing music, and community connection.
For nearly 40 years, Stanton Home has supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential programs, therapeutic services and skill-building activities.
“Here in the Berkshires, adults with diverse abilities often face barriers like limited housing, tricky transportation, and fewer opportunities for meaningful work,” said Executive Director Peter Stanton. “Stanton Home flips that script. Our mission is to partner with adults to pursue healthy, self-determined lives.”
The Harvest Roast features locally grilled meats, roasted vegetables from Stanton’s own gardens, warm apple crisp with SoCo Creamery ice cream, and beverages —all set to the swing and gypsy jazz rhythms of the Lucky 5 Band.
“The Harvest Roast is a celebration of what makes our community strong, inclusive, and vibrant,” Stanton said. “Every ticket and sponsored table supports programs that make a lasting difference.”
Guests will begin in the gardens with a signature cocktail before gathering at long farm tables for a shared meal and celebration.
“Though this night matters, the work is year-round,” Stanton added. “People can help by shopping locally at the farm store or buying handmade weavery goods, pitching in with time or skills, gardening, lending a hand at events or by partnering with Stanton’s programs like composting or sourcing local goods. Folks can also speak up for inclusion in their workplace or community circle. Even the smallest action helps keep the mission alive.”
Tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds support Stanton Home’s inclusive programs. Reserve at donorbox.org/events/771775/steps/choose_tickets or call 413-441-0761.
Following the memorable benefit reading last season of Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated Broadway hit, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” the Sharon Playhouse will present a one-night-only staged reading of his riotous comic melodrama “Die Mommie Die!” on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
The production —a deliciously over-the-top homage to classic Hollywood mid-century thrillers — continues the Playhouse’s artistic partnership with Busch, who reprises his iconic role of the glamorous yet troubled songstress Angela Arden.
The playwright and performer is no stranger to the Playhouse and, luckily, he’s supported by a truly stellar powerhouse cast of top-notch comic actors — some returning to the Playhouse stage, and some making their debut. The cast includes Richard Kind; two-time Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen, who was part of the original New York cast; Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger; Andrew Keenan-Bolger; and Claybourne Elder.
The production also marks a fortuitous alignment of talent and history. It is directed by Sharon Playhouse Artistic Director Carl Andress, who performed in the play’s Los Angeles premiere in 1999.
“I have a long and happy history with this particular show,” Andress said. “At the Sharon Playhouse, we’re thrilled to offer unforgettable, one-of-a-kind live experiences. With Charles Busch and this phenomenal cast, ‘Die Mommie Die!’ will surely light up the Olsen Stage with laughter, wit and glamour.”
The original music is by Lewis Flinn, whose score for the 2007 Off-Broadway production is being adapted specially for this event.
The play is a classic Charles Busch concoction that, like all his work, lovingly and intelligently spoofs some of the greatest talents and tropes of stage and screen. The original production was praised by critics as his “funniest, most accomplished and, without question, raunchiest work.”
In 2003, Busch won the Best Performance award at the Sundance Film Festival for the film version of “Die Mommie Die!” His indelible contributions to American theater have been recognized with countless awards and he was recently inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
The event promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter, glamour and theatrical fun, with all proceeds going to benefit Sharon Playhouse’s productions and educational programs. The funds will help ensure that the Playhouse continues to thrive as a cultural destination for audiences and artists alike.
For tickets, visit: sharonplayhouse.org. Running time: 90 minutes.
Richard Feiner and Annette Stover have worked and taught in the arts, communications, and philanthropy in West Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Passionate supporters of the arts, they live in Salisbury and Greenwich Village.
