One of America's leading health-care multinationals, Baxter Healthcare Corp., now faces a class action lawsuit over the effects of its blood thinning drug, Heparin. The lawsuit alleges that the multinational substituted safer, natural ingredients with cheaper chemical ingredients that were not approved by the United Stated FDA.
Joyce Ann Osteen, a class plaintiff, is suing Baxter over Heparin in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Her claim is that, the company began substituting organically prepared Heparin with a more dangerous ingredient in order to make greater profits.
Originally the drug is made from pork intestines that have been cooked and dried. The lawsuit states that, the intestines of about 3,500 pigs are required to produce a mere 2.2 pounds of raw Heparin. This crude Heparin is then processed to remove impurities and results in the production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) such as Heparin Sodium or Heparin Lithium.
The suit further states that the company found a much cheaper way to make their products. They identified a molecule similar to Heparin in Heparin Sodium. Around March 19, 2008, the Heparin-like molecule was identified as over-sulphated chondroitin sulphate (OSCS).
The cheaper alternative is not natural and is not approved by the United States.
Soon after Baxter discovered this new substitute, there was an abnormal increase in the number of patients who were adversely reacting to Heparin. During this time, around January 17, 2008, Baxter issued several press releases recalling nine lots of Heparin Sodium injection multiple dose vials. On February 28, 2008 they expanded their recall to include all lots and sizes of their Heparin products.
Osteen states that, the FDA announced their discovery of the mysterious contaminant on March 19, 2008.
The lawsuit alleges that, as of April 8, 2008, there have been 103 reported deaths in connection with the administration of Heparin to patients since January 1, 2007. Of those deaths, 91 were reported to have occurred after January 1, 2008.
To read more about the case click here.
Joyce Ann Osteen, a class plaintiff, is suing Baxter over Heparin in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Her claim is that, the company began substituting organically prepared Heparin with a more dangerous ingredient in order to make greater profits.
Originally the drug is made from pork intestines that have been cooked and dried. The lawsuit states that, the intestines of about 3,500 pigs are required to produce a mere 2.2 pounds of raw Heparin. This crude Heparin is then processed to remove impurities and results in the production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) such as Heparin Sodium or Heparin Lithium.
The suit further states that the company found a much cheaper way to make their products. They identified a molecule similar to Heparin in Heparin Sodium. Around March 19, 2008, the Heparin-like molecule was identified as over-sulphated chondroitin sulphate (OSCS).
The cheaper alternative is not natural and is not approved by the United States.
Soon after Baxter discovered this new substitute, there was an abnormal increase in the number of patients who were adversely reacting to Heparin. During this time, around January 17, 2008, Baxter issued several press releases recalling nine lots of Heparin Sodium injection multiple dose vials. On February 28, 2008 they expanded their recall to include all lots and sizes of their Heparin products.
Osteen states that, the FDA announced their discovery of the mysterious contaminant on March 19, 2008.
The lawsuit alleges that, as of April 8, 2008, there have been 103 reported deaths in connection with the administration of Heparin to patients since January 1, 2007. Of those deaths, 91 were reported to have occurred after January 1, 2008.
To read more about the case click here.
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