Heparin Lawsuit Update: Is China Stepping Up?
(March 21, 2008) China announced today it intends to solve the problems that cause the heparin tragedy that has taken the lives of at least 21 people.
The Chinese government will now require heparin producers to get their raw materials from registered suppliers. China will also mandate testing heparin for contamination. The active ingredient in heparin is made by a Chinese factory that is owned by Wisconsin-based Scientific Protein Laboratories, a Baxter subcontractor for heparin. Last month, the FDA did not know why the Chinese manufacturer was not inspected consistent with FDA rules. Later, we learned that the FDA - the federal agency the United States Supreme Court apparently believes is entitled to great deference, mixed-up the name of the factory with another Chinese company.
Last week, the Boston Globe wrote a story last week on China and concerns with China's manufacturing processes quoting one of Miller & Zois' lawyers:
But there are also risks, as evidenced by the heparin incident, that could damage a company’s reputation and lead to expensive litigation. Ronald V. Miller, Jr., a Baltimore lawyer who is considering filing a lawsuit on behalf of patients injured by heparin, said it is easier to win damages against a company that sells defective products made in China instead of the United States.
This move, which comes a day after confirmation that a heparin's active ingredient contained a contaminant from China, seems to demonstrate that China may be willing to step up and assert more control over manufacturing. This is little consolation for people who have died or suffered serious injury from this contaminated heparin.
While it is still not fully understood why someone added the additive oversulfated chondroitin sulfate was put in Baxter's heparin, it is pretty easy to guess: it cheaper to add oversulfated chondoitin than to make the actual heparin.
Our Baxter heparin recall lawyers are reviewing these heparin allergic reaction cases throughout the country expecting a class action lawsuit will be appropriate. If you want to discuss your case with one of our Baxter heparin lawyers call us at 800-553-8082 for a free consultation or click here for a free Internet consultation. Our firm is handling only serious injury and death cases from adverse heparin reactions.
See also Baxter Heparin Recall (more information in the Heparin Recall/Sales Suspension)
See also The Contaminant is Discovered (what actually caused the Baxter heparin disaster)
See also Heparin Death Toll Rises to 21 (updated information on the heparin cases)
See also Heparin Death Toll Rises to 62 (updated as of April 10, 2008)
See also Heparin and China: The Payoffs and Pitfalls of Manufacturing Abroad
See also
See also Free Consultation (free evaluation of your case at 800-553-8082 or by email)