Germany orders recall of blood-thinner heparin

[Celebration]

Another one bites the dust. Gotta expect it, based on the pet food experience (multiple products), the toy experience (multiple toys), the toothpaste experience (remarkably, somewhat more contained, but still involving many different products).

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0775276920080307

FRANKFURT, March 7 (Reuters) - Germany has ordered a countrywide recall of blood-thinner heparin, made by Rotexmedica, on fears of contamination, a German health official said, confirming comments by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"There is suspicion that batches of heparin produced by Rotexmedica have been contaminated," said Ulrich Hagemann, a department chief at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, which has coordinated the recall with the healthcare department of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Hagemann said the drug could be using active ingredients from China, adding that three severe cases of allergic reaction had been reported so far.

Rotexmedica, a unit of French company Panpharma, was not immediately available for comment.

Heparin is derived from pig intestines and is used in dialysis and heart procedures, among other surgeries, to avoid blood clots.

[godai]

1. 19 deaths, hundreds of serious reactions to the Baxter product in the US already.

Baxter chose this supplier and a lot of the responsibility should be theirs to assure that the drug is not contaminated. But, in bushworld, companies can do no wrong and it's left for FDA to take the blame. There's no way that FDA can inspect all foreign drug manufacturers.


From the link...

"The FDA began probing Baxter's heparin several weeks ago after it was linked to four deaths and hundreds of severe reactions, such as breathing problems and rapid drops in blood pressure. On Wednesday it said it identified a contaminant that may be linked with the drug's problems.

Some 19 fatalities have now been associated with use of the drug in the United States, the FDA said on Wednesday. However, none of the deaths have been linked to a specific drug maker."

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Same as in US? Looks like it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=33327&mesg_id=33327