France, Italy and Denmark Join Heparin Recall

New York, NY (AHN) - Few days ago, France, Italy and Denmark joined the increasing numbers of nations recalling heparin, the popular blood-thinning medication that in recent weeks was reported to contain contaminated raw ingredients, leading to hundreds of allergic reactions and 19 deaths in the U.S.

Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, the contaminant, does not have the characteristic of being a blood-thinner for which the heparin is prescribed. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed that chondroitin sulfate was found in the final product.

Last Friday, France started recalling heparin supplied by Rotexmedica GmbH, the same source as the heparin recalled in Germany earlier this month. Italy and Denmark both get heparin from Opocrin SpA, an Italian company that gets its raw ingredients from China. The supply at Opocrin SpA has tested positive for contamination.

United States, Germany, and Japan issued recalls of heparin and heparin-related products earlier this month. So far, no harmful effects have been recorded in France, Italy and Denmark but reports of contamination is strong enough to make the action says the European Medicines Agency.