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May 17, 2008 1:40:51 AM CDT

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Deadly Heparin Found in 11 Nations  

Posted Apr 22, 08 7:17 AM CDT in Science & Health,  World    Most Covered

(newser) – The FDA has traced a contaminated blood thinner from a Chinese factory to 11 countries, the New York Times reports. Severe reactions to the contaminated heparin have been linked to the deaths of 81 Americans, but it wasn't immediately clear if the drug may have triggered fatalities in other countries. Chinese officials have denied that the contamination caused any deaths and have demanded to be allowed to inspect the US plant where the heparin was packaged.

“Heparin should not be contaminated, regardless of whether or not that contamination caused acute adverse events," said an FDA doctor, adding that the agency was fairly confident that contamination in the Chinese factory caused the severe reactions. The House will hear a bill today calling for far more rigorous inspection of Chinese products imported to the US.

Source New York Times

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Deadly Heparin Found in 11 Nations
A small Chinese factory processing chemicals from pig guts into heparin has been linked to 19 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions.   (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deadly Heparin Found in 11 Nations
Chinese officials listen during a news conference at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Monday, April 21,2008.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Deadly Heparin Found in 11 Nations
A woman rides a bicycle past Changzhou SPL, linked to tainted blood thinner, Thursday, March 14, 2008 in Changzhou, China.   (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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China  • FDA  • pharmaceutical companies  • Heparin  • Baxter International  • Changzhou SPL


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