Heparin Recall

Over 450,000 people in the Untied States are on dialysis. Almost all of them use Heparin. Heparin has been available across the United States for over 70 years now.

Besides dialysis, it is also used in cardiac surgeries. Adverse reactions include stomach pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; low blood pressure; chest pain; fast heart rate; dizziness; fainting; unresponsiveness; shortness of breath; tachycardia; drug ineffectiveness; burning sensation; redness or paleness of skin; abnormal sensation of the skin, mouth, or lips; flushing; increased sweating; decreased skin sensitivity; headache; feeling unwell; restlessness; watery eyes; throat swelling; thirst; and difficulty opening the mouth. In other words, pretty much anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes these reactions can be severe or even fatal.

One company, Baxter Healthcare provides more than half of the total Heparin supplied in the United States. In 2008, the company started recalling Heparin from the market due to an increase in the number of reports of adverse reactions and one possible death that may be associated with the product. Under normal circumstances, the company received 60 to 70 such reports every year but in 2008, the month of January alone received over 150 such reports. Initially the company recalled certain batches of Heparin but soon realized the problem was not restricted to the recalled batches and decided to recall all Heparin manufactured during certain time periods.

If you need to file a dangerous drugs lawsuit, Anapol Schwartz is a West VA law firm on your side. Anapol Schwartz has a Wheeling attorney (Barry Hill) who can compassionately handle your dangerous drugs lawsuit.

Pharmaceutical products are by nature thought to be safe and effective for their intended use. It is assumed that all necessary testing has been done by the pharmaceutical company before the product is released for sale to public. Pharmaceutical products, especially those sold by prescription have to pass a rigorous pre-market approval process by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Once it passes through the approval process, the public assumes that the pharmaceutical product can be safely used for the purpose for which it is intended. In Baxter Healthcareas case, a plant in China manufactured the active ingredient in Heparin but there were problems in the Chinese heparin manufacturing process and as a result many batches of Heparin had to be recalled. The USFDA which was supposed to inspect the plant did not do so because a paperwork error resulted in the USFDA confusing the factory's name with another factory in China that had the USFDA approval. The plant that was making the active ingredient was not even certified by the Chinese regulators. If the pharmaceutical product has defects or is contaminated or does not contain warnings about possible adverse effect, it amounts to negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

If you are or one of your loved ones is suffering from the side effects of Heparin, you may be entitled to compensation for the sufferings.