More Deaths from Heparin
The number of deaths due to the use of the drug heparin has risen from 19 to 62. There are also hundreds more people who have experienced different forms of allergic reactions.
People started to suffer the affects of heparin in early 2007, when most of the deaths occurred, although in 2006 there were 3 deaths that could have been related.
To date at least three drug companies and several countries have pulled the drug to be on the safe side. If you remember, heparin is made in China and it is tested. The problem occurred because the contaminant so closely mimicked the actual chemical in the drug, it sailed past the test. There is a more sophisticated test which can catch the impostor and they are now using that test.
If you are given heparin or it is suggested by your doctor, you are well within your rights to question the safety of it and inquire as to whether it was tested or not. As with so many things these days it could be the difference between life and death.
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