Unsolved Heparin Contamination Subject of Congressional Investigation

U.S. lawmakers are requesting a host of documents from a number of pharmaceutical companies in an attempt to track down the source of contamination in the blood thinner heparin, which is believed to have killed nearly 150 people three years ago. 

Although Baxter International, Inc. was forced to issue a heparin recall in 2008 for more than half of the supply of the blood thinner in the United States, no one culprit has been identified as having placed counterfeit ingredients into the raw ingredients for the medication.

FDA officials have said that it was most likely Chinese suppliers, who were attempting to cut corners, but a group of U.S. representatives say the country needs more than that.

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On June 29, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce sent letters (pdf) to a number of pharmaceutical companies who were involved in the production of the contaminated heparin, asking them to turn over any documents that may unveil where ingredients adulterated with the chemical overly sulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) could have originated.

“There is reason to believe all or some of the individuals responsible for the adulteration are still actively engaged in the Chinese pharmaceutical supply chain and pose a continuing threat to pharmaceutical products imported to the U.S.,” the letter warns. “It is important to determine how the adulteration happened so that industry and government can take more effective proactive measures to reduce the risk of such adulteration in the future.”

The letters were written to Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, APP Pharmaceuticals, Drug Source Company LLC , Global Pharma Sourcing LLC, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Pacific Rainbow International, Sagent Pharmaceutical, Sandoz, Sanofi Aventis, and Siegfried USA, Inc. The companies were given until July 29 to respond.

The Baxter heparin recall was issued in January 2008, after a spike in adverse event reports surfaced involving serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to the blood thinner, which is critical for a number of medical procedures and conditions. Hundreds of serious adverse reactions and nearly 150 deaths were reported in connection with the contaminated heparin.

The letter came just a couple weeks after the first heparin recall lawsuit resulted in a $625,000 award for the family of Steven Johnson, 63, who died in December 2007 after being given tainted heparin. It was the first case to go to trial in the United States out of about 300 heparin lawsuits consolidated in Cook County Circuit Court against Baxter and another ingredient supplier, Scientific Protein Laboratories, LLC.

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18 Comments

  • KayOctober 7, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    My husband had a reaction to heprin and had to have all his toes amputaded on his right foot. Could never find a lawyer to represent us. This happened in 2012. This has changed our lives. People can be compinsated for getting by coffee that was to hot but not for such a severe case of a bad drug.

  • HaroldAugust 21, 2014 at 3:00 am

    8/20/2014 Lawyer Now Hates and refuses to speak to me has asst. lie saying money in escrow account but will be another several months for judge to give final approval.The settlement is a joke in itself.This judge allowed these medering SB's to pay out less than $7,000 net each Plaintiff!The No Pay out of a nothing is still nothing!

  • joeJanuary 23, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Odie, You are being forced to settle is really your own doing. Your lawyer will not go to court. Why. You must prove the this drug DID CAUSE a problem. So far, no gulit has been found by anybody. I take it you are an average person. To take Baxter to court is money out of your pocket, not your lawyer. Even if you do get a court app't, The delays and appeal will cost you more. Baxter has all the ti[Show More]Odie, You are being forced to settle is really your own doing. Your lawyer will not go to court. Why. You must prove the this drug DID CAUSE a problem. So far, no gulit has been found by anybody. I take it you are an average person. To take Baxter to court is money out of your pocket, not your lawyer. Even if you do get a court app't, The delays and appeal will cost you more. Baxter has all the time and money to fight you and your one lawyer, while Baxter has a corp fleet of lawyer in the court room. Is it fair, no. Is it legal, yes.

  • JackJanuary 22, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    My father died from contaminated Heparin. Is their a statute of limitations ... How do I get hlep

  • HaroldSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    The Day The Courts Have Died! Poison With No Prosecution! If No One Was Paid Off,Why The Silence? Attorney Says Sign This Blanck Check It's Your Only Chance To See A Peanut! So,I Pee & You Know Who's The ["NUT"]! The CEO Of Baxter Said It Was Deliberate,) SCS Is Man Made!It Did Not Just End Up There! Swine Flue Caused Shortage Of PIG Intestines! 9 Cents VS. 49.00 That's The Question! [Show More]The Day The Courts Have Died! Poison With No Prosecution! If No One Was Paid Off,Why The Silence? Attorney Says Sign This Blanck Check It's Your Only Chance To See A Peanut! So,I Pee & You Know Who's The ["NUT"]! The CEO Of Baxter Said It Was Deliberate,) SCS Is Man Made!It Did Not Just End Up There! Swine Flue Caused Shortage Of PIG Intestines! 9 Cents VS. 49.00 That's The Question! I Smell A Skunk! I Won't Shut Up This Plays Like The Chicago Machine! We Meant Nothing To This Court,Under The Bus!

  • OdieAugust 16, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Why am I being forced to settle my heparin case or be dis-missed by my law firm . What happened ? It doesn't make any sense to me . Something just isn't right with our justice system in this case . All I hear from the law firm is how much money Baxter has and the expert witness's they can afford . Somehow , some thing seems to be dirty . It certainly wasn't Justice .

  • HaroldJuly 30, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    June 29,2012 SPL,Baxter Health Thought $350 To Be Split Among 35 Poison Victims Would Jump At The Offer Of A Peanut To Be Named Later. At An Even Split That's Only $10,000 per Before 33% Lawer Fee,Expences,Dr.& Hospital Bills That They Will Hire To Inform Of Settlement. Then Comes The XJudge Paid To Determine What If Anything Left For Victim! Signature Notarise For Judge Approval Expected For[Show More]June 29,2012 SPL,Baxter Health Thought $350 To Be Split Among 35 Poison Victims Would Jump At The Offer Of A Peanut To Be Named Later. At An Even Split That's Only $10,000 per Before 33% Lawer Fee,Expences,Dr.& Hospital Bills That They Will Hire To Inform Of Settlement. Then Comes The XJudge Paid To Determine What If Anything Left For Victim! Signature Notarise For Judge Approval Expected For Today July 30,2012 Didn'Signature Of Mine Was Not Going To Happen Giving Up My Rights Plus Allowing Those Murders For Profit Get Off Scott Free. For Me I Want These Held Responcable For The Lack Of Concern To Those Being Harmed. Seeing I Was Injected 10/07/2007 Getting Sick Instantly At West Haven Ct V.A.Hospital They Knew Or Should Had Knowned What Happened. To This Day Not A Dr.,Or The Hospital Has Contacted My Explaining. To My Surprise Not One Dr,Nurse Or Phamacy Is Aware Of The ["OSCS Heparin"].So I Have Been Threatened With Incometentcy,Have My Oxygen Removed Told By P.A. & Dr's They Have No Concern & I Was A Liar! I Fined It Remarkable Audet & Partners Were Demanding I Settle For A Cookie To Be Named Later.["NO WAY"]!!!!!!!

  • RebeccaJune 5, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    After a four year of suffering. ( I am a Recipent of contaminated Heparin from SPL /tyco Kendal dba. Coviden, in January of 2008.) yesterday I heard from my attorney that All has been for not. There is no justice. My prayers are with the people and the family of those who died from this FDA failed process to protect us in the USA. All I wanted was a fair trial with a jury of my peers to be all[Show More]After a four year of suffering. ( I am a Recipent of contaminated Heparin from SPL /tyco Kendal dba. Coviden, in January of 2008.) yesterday I heard from my attorney that All has been for not. There is no justice. My prayers are with the people and the family of those who died from this FDA failed process to protect us in the USA. All I wanted was a fair trial with a jury of my peers to be allowed in my home state. The Fed appeals process is fast at taking the fees of the plaintiffs but then you are left with nothing. I will do all I can to make this case PUBLIC AGAIN. Americia should know we need a change to protect us all. See below. From my attorney: We filed your appeal and paid the appeal fee ($650) but the clerk up there is telling us that we cannot pro hace vice into the court of appeals.  Moreover, since we are not admitted to the Ohio bar, we cannot represent you. Moreover, it has further come to our attention that we cannot appeal the order that the Plaintiffs Steering Committee lost regarding the bolus dosage being the only legitimate cause of injury, we can only appeal the court's determination that you did not get a bolus dosage -- which is a meaningless issue to argue, because we cannot dispute that you did not get a bolus dosage.  I am not sure why the Plaintiffs Steering Committee is not appealing the original order, but they are not. As I imagine that it is hard to dispute findings from the CDC and the FDA.  Indeed, as of a few days ago, we are the only pending appeal that the clerk was aware of. All that being said, I think that this is a terrible outcome that was politically orchestrated -- but then again, that was probably the whole purpose of sending the case to middle of nowhere Ohio. But let's talk in greater detail tomorrow and I will explain everything at length.  I should be back to the office around 3 pm.

  • stevenApril 5, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    well thats better than what thay offered me, heparin killed my father in 2008, was verry said, then thay told me $ 15.000 , was all thay was going to pay. i think this is rong, not going to do that, my father life was worth a hell of a lot more than that. , why.. im taking this to the tv, im speaking out, u dont like it kill me then, just like you did my father. steven . you will see mor[Show More]well thats better than what thay offered me, heparin killed my father in 2008, was verry said, then thay told me $ 15.000 , was all thay was going to pay. i think this is rong, not going to do that, my father life was worth a hell of a lot more than that. , why.. im taking this to the tv, im speaking out, u dont like it kill me then, just like you did my father. steven . you will see more of me!!!!!

  • KatherineMarch 12, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Odie,I believe you,Our Mother died from it and our offer was very low,we were told by our lawyer if we didn't take it then the judge would throw us out of court.After everything is taken out and alot of fees we should not even have to pay for we will only get $27,000 each,there is only 3 of us.All the fees and medicare took over 3/4 of the settlement.Can I ask what lawyers are you using.

  • OdieMarch 6, 2012 at 1:09 am

    Looks like the tainted heparin lawsuit is is just about over. Can't believe what being offered . How can a drug company deliberately make a counterfeit drugs and basically win the case. Some thing is wrong with that.

  • deborahJanuary 23, 2012 at 5:09 am

    The wife of a friend of mine has a suit against heparin. She has lost the paperwork from her attorney. She has brain damage & memory loss from the heparon. She can't remember the name of the firm handling her case. I am researching the case to try to track them down. She lived in Spartanburg SC at the time &originally called a local large law firm, although I doubt this firm litigated [Show More]The wife of a friend of mine has a suit against heparin. She has lost the paperwork from her attorney. She has brain damage & memory loss from the heparon. She can't remember the name of the firm handling her case. I am researching the case to try to track them down. She lived in Spartanburg SC at the time &originally called a local large law firm, although I doubt this firm litigated anything up north. If anyone knows how I can find the company handing out the awards, please let me know. deborah_knighten@yahoo.com As far as she knows, her case is done, but she doesn't know who has her money Thanks

  • KatherineNovember 29, 2011 at 1:44 am

    Have gotten settlement papers and amount 3 weeks ago,signed them and sent them back,my lawyer said the check will be sent out Dec 15,well we learned today that was a lie,today they said it want be till maybe april,Please everyone don't count on everything your lawyer says is true,you will be very disappointed,The settlement offers are for very little,after all is said and done we still will not ha[Show More]Have gotten settlement papers and amount 3 weeks ago,signed them and sent them back,my lawyer said the check will be sent out Dec 15,well we learned today that was a lie,today they said it want be till maybe april,Please everyone don't count on everything your lawyer says is true,you will be very disappointed,The settlement offers are for very little,after all is said and done we still will not have the closure that we need.

  • antoinetteNovember 9, 2011 at 6:30 am

    the newsmedia has been making abig deal about dr Murray and the Micheal Jackson case I do feel bad for micheal Jacskson however I believe the media attention is because he was a pop star and had money. I do not have money and Iost my daughter at the age of 91/2. When she passed my husband and I lost everything, Ijust wonder how Baxter Employees would feel if it was on of their children,brother [Show More]the newsmedia has been making abig deal about dr Murray and the Micheal Jackson case I do feel bad for micheal Jacskson however I believe the media attention is because he was a pop star and had money. I do not have money and Iost my daughter at the age of 91/2. When she passed my husband and I lost everything, Ijust wonder how Baxter Employees would feel if it was on of their children,brother sister mother father aunt or uncle. I would just to put this all to rest. My little girl did not have to die she was suppose to come home the day she ended up back in intesnsive care, The heparin kiled my baby and yes Iam very bitter and I want closure. It would be nice if Baxter would stand up admit responsibity for what they have done and settle these cases so the families could get closure.

  • TomNovember 9, 2011 at 3:20 am

    Well it looks to us like a lot of lawmakers have stocks in baxter. Who are the few executives of baxter who made the decision to use " the cheap stuff " $9 vs. $900 ingredients.Shame on you greedy dirt bags.what 10 million dollars in your bank accounts not enough! youll all pay for this someday. My Dad had a heart attack and the hospital used this contaminated heparin on him. The doctor did a grea[Show More]Well it looks to us like a lot of lawmakers have stocks in baxter. Who are the few executives of baxter who made the decision to use " the cheap stuff " $9 vs. $900 ingredients.Shame on you greedy dirt bags.what 10 million dollars in your bank accounts not enough! youll all pay for this someday. My Dad had a heart attack and the hospital used this contaminated heparin on him. The doctor did a great job with the triple by pass. but the heparin over four gruesome months took his feet,few fingers and made him extremely sick. Thanks alot.

  • charcyJuly 12, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    It's it about time the judge in Illinois and Toledo say enough is enough. Baxter has been doing every thing to prolong these trials and have been getting away with it. Familys want answers and they are not getting them.Heparin has been ruled on it was contaimated get on with what comes next. These drug companies have to be taught the Courts and the people are not going to put up with them doing ju[Show More]It's it about time the judge in Illinois and Toledo say enough is enough. Baxter has been doing every thing to prolong these trials and have been getting away with it. Familys want answers and they are not getting them.Heparin has been ruled on it was contaimated get on with what comes next. These drug companies have to be taught the Courts and the people are not going to put up with them doing just what they want for proffit. Get on with lawsuites and give families closure.

  • peggyJuly 8, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    when are things going to look up for the familys of all the people who was injured or who died from this heparin ? I think the familys should have closure soon . what if it was one of baxters mother who took the heparin for sure thay would want something done right away. what are they wating for ,for the familys to die so they want half to do anything heparin is suppose to be a life saving drug n[Show More]when are things going to look up for the familys of all the people who was injured or who died from this heparin ? I think the familys should have closure soon . what if it was one of baxters mother who took the heparin for sure thay would want something done right away. what are they wating for ,for the familys to die so they want half to do anything heparin is suppose to be a life saving drug not a life taking drug. my mother suffered from this drug and so did her family so it is time for baxter to step up to the plate and make amends for what they caused.

  • KatherineJuly 7, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    It they haven't got answers yet they never will.It sounds like they are trying to get Baxter and SPL off the hook for for all the deaths and injured people that The containation heparin caused,and to delay the trials,The Johnson family deserved alot more then they got.We need more updates then what we get,makes you wonder if all our lawyers are going to throw us up under a bus,hopefully the trials[Show More]It they haven't got answers yet they never will.It sounds like they are trying to get Baxter and SPL off the hook for for all the deaths and injured people that The containation heparin caused,and to delay the trials,The Johnson family deserved alot more then they got.We need more updates then what we get,makes you wonder if all our lawyers are going to throw us up under a bus,hopefully the trials will start soon in federal court in ohio but the way it is looking the people that has lawsuits in federal court will have to wait another year or two before they can get justice and that is a shame upon the families of the loved ones that was lost due to greed.

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