Counterfeiting Heparin

Via ProMED-mail: the ever-widening counterfeit Chinese heparin scandal doesn't seem to have hit the news very hard compared to the ongoing downers-for-dinner scandal, even though the downer recall is merely punitive in comparison with the recall of half the nation's heparin supply, and especially when you consider that the recall itself was delayed by the FDA because the basic need for heparin outweighed the serious safety concerns.

Heparin is a blood thinner administered to most inpatients, as well as to dialysis patients. It is derived from pig intestines; the raw ingredient is imported from China, before or after processing. Last week the New York Times reported on the discovery of the subtle counterfeit substance intended to pass for real heparin--and no such adulteration in heparin batches known not to cause adverse reactions. This counterfeit ingredient has evidently caused 19 deaths and almost 800 non-fatal adverse reactions so far.

German patients have also suffered adverse reactions leading to a recall, and as a precaution Japan recalled all heparin associated with a suspect Chinese producer late today.

Considering the malice aforethought involved in this sort of counterfeiting and the fact that it's hardly the first time, PlagueBlog recommends cutting off trade relations with China.