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Heparin suspected in 62 U.S. deaths

Infection Control Monitor, April 11, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said this week that it now suspects 62 deaths in the United States are linked to the blood thinner heparin.

The number of suspicious deaths rose from 19 to 62, with most of them reported this past December, January, and February, The New York Times reported. The FDA said on its Web site that the 62 deaths reported with one or more allergic or hypotensive symptoms occurred during a 14-month period that began in January 2007.

The FDA is investigating whether those deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions were caused by a contaminant made in China that was added to the drug during the manufacturing process, the Times reported. In February, Baxter Healthcare Corporation recalled vials of heparin sodium made with ingredients from a Chinese supplier, the FDA said. Click here for more information.

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