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Heparin Victims Testify on Hill

Man outraged that drug was approved for sale

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:30 PM CDT

(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... Read full story »

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Reuters (Source Grid »)
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Committee also grills FDA officials
Wall Street Journal

Baxter CEO blames China for heparin contamination
Forbes

Philly law firm sues health care company over tainted heparin
Philadelphia Inquirer

Money • Politics • Science • US

Congress • drug safety • regulation • Heparin • Baxter International • blood thinner • contaminated drugs

More Newser Stories

Blood Thinner Woes Hit Germany

100 may have been sickened by heparin not tied to Baxter

(NEWSER) - Heparin blood thinners may have sickened as many as 100 people in Germany, health officials report. The FDA is currently investigating the drug after it was linked to 19 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions in the US, possibly due to contaminants from China. The agency is now recommending that all American heparin manufacturers test supplies for contaminants and counterfeit ingredients. More»

Feds ID Extra Drug in Baxter's Recalled Heparin

FDA unsure if chemical was behind reactions to blood-thinner

(NEWSER) - The Food and Drug Administration has identified the extra ingredient found in samples of Baxter’s blood-thinning drug heparin, the Wall Street Journal reports today. Some batches of the drug—recalled in January after reports of allergic reactions—contained over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate, but it is not certain that was the cause of the hundreds of reactions or 19 deaths linked to Baxter’s product. More»

FDA Finds Contaminant in Blood Thinner

Substance discovered in heparin, linked to 19 deaths nationwide

(NEWSER) - The FDA has found a contaminant in samples of heparin, a blood thinner produced mainly in China linked to 19 deaths and nearly 800 allergic reactions in the US, the New York Times reports. The contaminant may be a counterfeit form of heparin added to reduce its manufacturing cost. The FDA is fine-tuning tests to better detect it. More»

Possible Heparin Deaths Increase; Recall Expands

FDA investigating 'deficiencies' at plant in China

(NEWSER) - Baxter International has expanded its recall of heparin products as the FDA said the number of deaths possibly linked to the blood thinner rose from 4 to 21, the New York Times reports. The agency said it found "deficiencies" at a Chinese plant that supplied the active ingredient. Baxter, which produces about half of the nation's supply, has now recalled virtually all of its heparin products. More»

Heparin Supply Chain Shaky in China

Troubles could trace back to vulnerable raw materials

(NEWSER) - With at least four US patients dead and hundreds suffering complications from the blood-thinning drug heparin, the New York Times follows the supply chain back to Chinese slaughterhouses that deal with the pig intestines that provide raw material for the drug. Though companies say the chain is secure, the Times finds it vulnerable to contamination and lack of oversight. More»

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Heparin Victims Testify on Hill

Man outraged that drug was approved for sale

Congress • drug safety • regulation • Heparin • Baxter International • blood thinner • contaminated drugs

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More Newser Stories

Blood Thinner Woes Hit Germany

100 may have been sickened by heparin not tied to Baxter

Feds ID Extra Drug in Baxter's Recalled Heparin

FDA unsure if chemical was behind reactions to blood-thinner

FDA Finds Contaminant in Blood Thinner

Substance discovered in heparin, linked to 19 deaths nationwide

Possible Heparin Deaths Increase; Recall Expands

FDA investigating 'deficiencies' at plant in China

Heparin Supply Chain Shaky in China

Troubles could trace back to vulnerable raw materials

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