At least 19 people have died recently after being administered heparin. Many others have had severe adverse reactions. Prompted by these adverse reactions, Baxter Healthcare recalled all of their multi-dose and single-use vials of heparin sodium for injection, and their heparin lock flush solutions. (Read about Baxter's heparin recall.)

According to Reuters, an investigation by the FDA has found that the Baxter heparin products may be contaminated with a heparin-like chemical:

U.S. regulators on Wednesday said they identified a contaminant in the key ingredient in Baxter International's recalled blood thinning drug heparin amid 15 more reports of deaths in patents treated with some version of the drug.

The contaminant, a large complex molecule chemically similar to heparin, was detected in samples from a Chinese and a U.S. plant, both owned by Baxter's supplier, Wisconsin-based Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC (SPL).

"At this point we don't know how the heparin-like compound got into the active pharmaceutical ingredient," Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock told reporters on a conference call. "We don't yet have a direct causal link between the contaminant and the adverse events."

Labels: baxter heparin recall, Heparin, product liability

We have been contacted regarding the Heparin recall initiated by AM2 PAT, Inc. The recall includes one lot of Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Flush Solution USP (5 mL in 12 mL Syringes), Lot # 070926H. The CDC tested some of the Heparin syringes in the recalled lot and found contamination with Serratia marcescens. FDA believes that the contamination has resulted in patient infections, according to the FDA announcement of the Heparin recall.

Our law firm has been investigating a variety of injuries associated with Heparin products. For more information on this Heparin recall, please see the following:

• Heparin recall and AM2 PAT lawsuit information
• Heparin and Serratia marcescens

To contact a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen regarding the Heparin recall, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

Image of Serratia marcescens courtesy of Lee Baines Photography, all rights reserved.

Labels: Heparin, Heparin recall, Heparin syringe recall, Serratia marcescens