Heparin Linked to Over 60 U.S. Deaths

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April 10th, 2008

"Heparin Death Toll Rises"

The death toll associated with the blood thinner heparin has increased to 62, the Food and Drug Administration reported after a recent analysis.

Most of the deaths were reported between December 2007 and February 2008, though the reports date as far back as January 2007. Still, the FDA said in all of 2006, only three deaths were linked to heparin.

Multiple Recalls Issued

No reports of death have been made since the end of February, which is when Baxter International issued a mass recall of its heparin products because of possible contamination during the manufacturing process in China.

An investigation revealed that the contaminant was a cheaper, heparin-like substance known as oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. The FDA is still investigating whether this substance caused the reported deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions.

Other companies whose heparin products contained Chinese ingredients also issued recalls. Those companies include Covidien and B. Braun. Recalls have also been made by companies in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Japan and France.

(Source: The New York Times)

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