Tainted Heparin Seized by Federal Marshals

Beth Janicek

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 395

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I have blogged in the past on contaminated heparin and found this recent article very interesting as a follow up to the contaminated heparin issue.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent federal marshals into a Cincinnati based manufacturer, Celsus Laboratories, to seize 11 lots of heparin, a blood-thinning drug. The FDA had asked the manufacturer twice to recall the contaminated heparin but received no cooperation.

Large amounts of Chinese raw heparin imported into the United States were contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. The tainted blood thinner which is given during heart surgery and kidney dialysis was blamed for nearly 250 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions.

Heparin sodium is given to patients as a blood thinner and heparin lithium is used to coat medical devices. Two pounds of heparin sodium and 31 pounds of heparin lithium were seized. The heparin that was seized was worth $112,000.00 which represented a portion of the 11 lots which had already been shipped to other manufacturers.

FDA said in a release that it has also advised manufacturers who might have bought heparin from the company to contact the agency to make sure they don't have any of the contaminated heparin. "The product does not meet acceptable quality standards," the agency said.

If you or a loved one has been injured by contaminated heparin or had an allergic reaction to heparin, contact my office as we are currently litigating several cases regarding heparin.