Heparin investigation progresses
While the FDA remains (mostly) mum on the heparin crisis, it seems scientists are close to finding the problem. The New York Times today that the contaminant is over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate, a supplement normally used to treat joint pain but was likely altered to act like heparin. There have been hundreds of allergic reactions to the blood thinner in the United States, and 19 deaths.
Baxter announced its voluntary recall of the blood thinner in February, and scientists who have examined the batches told the Times they suspect the “heparin-like molecule was intentionally mixed into the drug.” With the FDA again faced with questions about how well it’s equipped to protect the population from a tainted drug supply, communicators are left answering questions about a beleaguered government entity that badly needs to be given its teeth. Still, they’re doing their best to let reporters know what’s going on:
The FDA has said it has the world’s top heparin chemists working on the contaminant at two FDA laboratories, three American universities and several European academic institutions. There are more than a dozen scientists working to identify the contaminant, or contaminants, an F.D.A. spokeswoman said.
[...] sulfate. A rather effective and timely response from the agency considering the circumstances (see my post from this morning). According to the Wall Street Journal piece: The FDA has also initiated testing of imported [...]