FDA finds contaminant in suspect blood-thinner

U.S. health officials said on Wednesday that they have found a contaminant in a blood-thinning drug that is produced by Baxter Healthcare Corp. that has been linked to more than a dozen deaths in the United States. The drug is actually designed to keep potentially life-threatening blood clots from forming in the veins, arteries, and lungs. Investigations began after a spike in reports of health problems associated with heparin, a drug that is made from pig intestines at plans in China and Wisconsin. FDA investigators have found a heparin-like compound—that is not heparin—present in some of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in both facilities. It was found that the contaminant made up between 5-20 percent of each sample tested reacts like heparin some of the conventional tests used for heparin. This explains why it was not picked up.

The drug is supposed to be used to prevent potentially life-threatening clots in arteries, veins, as well as the lungs. It is still however unclear whether this contaminant was introduced in the company’s plant in Wisconsin or the one in China. Coincidentally a similar case with pet food as occurred recently in China. Since the agency issued its report that 19 deaths have taken place since January 1, 2007, it has received world of another 27 deaths. In totality, the FDA received 785 heparin-linked cases which included breathing, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating and plummeting blood pressure that can lead to life-threatening shock.

The Baxter company has suggest that the main cause may be associated with the crude heparin, soured from China, or from the subsequent processing of that product before it reaches Baxter. It is too early to know for sure whether it was done on accident or purposely however.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/05/heparin.contaminant/index.html?iref=newssearch