Maker of Defective Heparin Hit with Another Lawsuit

By Sophia Brink

Published on April 08, 2008

The lawsuit claims that Baxter failed to adequately test batches of heparin before distributing the product. In February, Baxter recalled multi-dose and single-dose vials of injectable heparin as well as a heparin-based product used to flush IV lines or catheters.

Heparin, or heparin sodium, is a pork-derived product that is commonly used in patients who are undergoing dialysis treatment or cardiac surgery.

In March of this year, the FDA announced that Baxter-made heparin had been contaminated at the Chinese facility where it was manufactured.

Heparin gained notoriety in December 2007 when actor Dennis Quaid and his wife sued Baxter after their newborn twins received overdoses of the blood thinner. The Quaids believe that the mistake was made due to the similar packaging on different dosages of the product.

Numerous lawsuits claiming personal injury or wrongful death against Baxter have already been filed. It is not known how many deaths may have occurred as a result of treatment with the purportedly contaminated heparin.

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