Heparin Recall Lawsuits: FDA identifies contaminant
The FDA found an unidentified contaminant in batches of the recently recalled Baxter heparin, which could be responsible for causing severe allergic reactions in nearly 800 people. Heparin recall lawsuits are being reviewed by the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. for individuals who have suffered a severe complication or death after receiving the bad blood thinner.
>>INFORMATION: Heparin Recall Lawsuits
Starting in November 2007, Baxter began to receive reports of unusual allergic-type reactions associated with the use of their heparin, particularly among those who received large doses of the blood thinner during dialysis treatment or cardiac surgery. On January 18, a partial Baxter heparin recall was issued for nine lots of the blood thinner, and the recall was expanded late last month to include all lots of blood thinner produced at the same plant in China.
>>PRIOR POST (2/29/2008): Baxter Heparin Recall Expanded
As of this week, the FDA indicates that a total of 785 reports of heparin complications have been received, including 19 deaths. However, many hospitals and dialysis centers have not been reporting all of their heparin problems to the FDA, which likely means that the blood thinner reactions are much more widespread.
FDA testing has uncovered substantial quantities of a counterfeit chemical in the Baxter heparin. Although the fake ingredient accounted for between 5% and 20% of the total mass of each sample, the problems were not discovered by Baxter before they distributed the blood thinner throughout the United States. Officials from the FDA suggest that the use of a substitute raw ingredient by suppliers in China could have been have been caused by negligence or for fraudulent reasons.
Similar problems surfaced in Germany this week, leading to a different heparin recall after a spike in reports of heparin complications and allergic-type reactions were discovered by German drug authorities. That heparin, which was made by a German company, also may have contained raw ingredients received from suppliers in China.
BAXTER HEPARIN LAWSUITS
The contaminated heparin should have been identified as subpotent by Baxter during their quality tests, which could have prevented individuals from suffering allergic reactions and potentially fatal complications. Baxter heparin lawsuits are being reviewed throughout the United States for problems caused by the bad blood thinner. To determine if you, a friend or family member may have experience complications caused by the recalled heparin, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
