April 12, 2008
Heparin Deaths Climb to 62 in U.S.
The FDA is now estimating that heparin deaths in the United States has climbed to 62. The majority of these deaths have been reported in the last 3-4 months. The drug agency defined suspicious deaths as those involving one or more allergic reactions or a drop in blood pressure. Since Baxter International recalled its heparin in late February, there have been no reported deaths.
The contaminant linked to the deaths, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, mimics heparin and is cheaper to produce. This has led some to speculate that the contaminant was intentionally added to the heparin to cut manufacturing costs. However, the FDA nor the Chinese government have made any definitive ruling. Interestingly, other than counterfeiters and the possibility of an accident, no other explanations for the contaminant have been offered.
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