FDA finds contaminant in blood-thinner heparin samples
Allergies thought to have killed 19
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post / March 6, 2008

WASHINGTON - Using a new sophisticated test, the Food and Drug Administration has found a "contaminant" in 5 percent to 20 percent of samples of the blood thinner heparin distributed by Baxter International, agency officials said yesterday. They also increased the reported number of patients who might have died from allergic reactions to the drug from four to 19.

Janet Woodcock, the FDA's chief medical officer, said the agency is investigating whether the contaminant, a large molecule similar to heparin, was produced as part of faulty manufacturing or whether it was intentionally added to reduce costs. the rest

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