We've been following the heparin contamination story for a while now. We first reported that Baxter had voluntarily recalled specific batches of the drug, then followed that up with the story of how the contaminated heparin was causing allergic reactions in dialysis patients and then reported on how the FDA had found what had contaminated the batches of heparin.
Now we are sadden to report that the Baxter CEO Robert Parkinson stated in a written statement that was prepared for a congressional hearing into the contaminated heparin events that it appears that the contamination was deliberate.
"We're alarmed that one of our products was used, in what appears to have been a deliberate scheme, to adulterate a life-saving medication, and that people have suffered as a result," stated Parkinson.
Parkinson said that it was "clear" that the contaminant, an altered form of chondroitin sulfate, was added prior to the crude heparin material reaching Baxter's Chinese supplier, Scientific Protein Labs. SPL also stated, in separate testimony, that the contamination appeared to be deliberate.
The FDA assures the public that all heparin entering the U.S. is now been tested and that the current supply is safe.
[Source: Reuters Health]
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