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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Heparin Victims Testify on Hill

Man outraged that drug was approved for sale

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(Newser) – Relatives of some of the 81 Americans whose deaths have been linked to tainted heparin told a Congressional subcommittee about their experiences today, Reuters reports. An Ohio man wept as he told lawmakers his wife and son, who had a genetic kidney disease, died within a month after being given heparin while undergoing dialysis. "I want to know if my daughter and the millions of others who continue to receive dialysis are safe," said Leroy Hubley.

The CEO of the drug's manufacturer, Baxter International, testified that the heparin contamination seemed purposeful: "We're alarmed that one of our products was used, in what appears to have been a deliberate scheme, to adulterate a life-saving medication, and that people have suffered as a result," said Robert Parkinson.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., left, greets Johanna Marie Staples of Toledo, Ohio, who lost her husband after receiving Heparin, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington prior to the subcommittee's hearing on the tainted pharmaceutical Heparin.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., left, greets Johanna Marie Staples of Toledo, Ohio, who lost her husband after receiving Heparin, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, on...   (AP Photo)
FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the contaminated pharmaceutical drug heparin from China.
FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the contaminated pharmaceutical...   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Baxter International, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Parkinson, Jr. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 29,2008, before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on heparin. (Photo/Susan Walsh)
Baxter International, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Parkinson, Jr. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 29,2008, before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee...   (AP Photo)
Leroy Hubley of Toledo, Ohio, who lost his wife and son after they received heparin, Tuesday, April 29,2008, while testifying before the House subcommittee hearing on tainted Heparin.
Leroy Hubley of Toledo, Ohio, who lost his wife and son after they received heparin, Tuesday, April 29,2008, while testifying before the House subcommittee hearing on tainted Heparin.   (AP Photo)
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