Baxter Healthcare Corp. is the largest U.S. producer of heparin, used daily in hospitals to prevent and treat blot clots in the veins, arteries, and lungs. It is often prescribed before certain surgeries. More than a million multiple-dose vials of heparin are sold each month in the United States, and about half of those are manufactured and distributed by Baxter.

In January, the FDA learned about an increasing number of potentially life-threatening adverse reactions associated with the use of heparin. Baxter recalled many lots and doses and temporarily stopped manufacturing multiple-dose vials of injectable heparin. Baxter gets the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the drug from Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL), which operates a heparin-manufacturing facility in Jiangsu Province, China.

On March 19, FDA scientists identified oversulfated chondroitin sulfate as a contaminant in heparin APIs from the Chinese facility. Between January 1, 2007, and May 31, 2008, 246 deaths in patients receiving heparin were reported to the FDA.

Both Baxter and SPL maintain that their pharmaceutical products are safe. Plaintiff attorneys allege that the companies failed to exercise reasonable care in manufacturing, failed to inspect the manufacturing facilities, and failed to recall the defective drug in a timely fashion.

If you or someone you know has been injured while taking Heparin call our office today.  Our experienced team of attorneys will properly evaluate your case.  619.615.0767