Scientific Protein Laboratories of Waunakee, Wisconsin has just received word that three of its larger purchasers of the active ingredient in Heparin have cancelled orders and will stop doing business with the company. The companies, based out of Japan, manufacturer Heparin and compete with Deerfield, Illinois based Baxter International Inc. in the production of Heparin Sodium for use during surgery.
Scientific Protein issued a statement Monday saying: “The three Japanese companies made clear that the recall was simply a precaution, as there has not been a pattern of adverse reactions to heparin reported in Japan similar to what has been observed in the U.S. and Germany.�
Allergic reactions have been linked to China-sourced heparin ingredients in Germany where dozens of adverse reactions have also been reported. In the U.S., however, FDA officials said a foreign “heparin-like” substance was founded in recalled batches of heparin sold by Baxter.
The very complex supply chain, which begins with pigs at farms in rural China winds through unregulated and uninspected family workshops to small village depots to factories like those run by Scientific Protein in its Changzhou factory.
The FDA is currently investigating the exact nature of the defect and cause of adulteration of the Heparin supplied by Baxter.
If you or a loved one has suffered from the use of Heparin, please contact us for more information.