Friday, March 07, 2008

Germany recalls locally made blood thinner heparin; Canadian products differ

From the Canadian Press:
Germany's medical authority said Friday it has recalled a locally produced version of the blood thinner heparin believed to be linked to contaminated ingredients from China after 80 patients suffered adverse reactions.

Axel Thiele, a spokesman for the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, said the drug, produced by RotexMedica GmbH, was pulled from the market after 80 patients suffered shortness of breath, low blood pressure and episodes of rapid heartbeat.

No one taking the drug in Germany has died, he said, and no other drug companies' products are involved.

A different brand of heparin produced in the United States has been linked to 19 deaths there, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported.

On Friday, Health Canada said the U.S. deaths are associated with injectable heparin sodium made by Baxter International Inc., and these products are not sold in Canada. ...more

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