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Family members of patients who died from receiving
contaminated Heparin testified in front of the Congressional House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on tainted Heparin on Tuesday. They shared their horrific ordeals with legislators who are trying to understand what went wrong. An Ohio man’s story was especially compelling – he lost both his wife and son due to contaminated Heparin.
One man’s horrific ordeal
According to various news reports that covered the hearing, Leroy Hubley of Ohio, lost both his wife and his son due to batches of contaminated Heparin – within one month of the other. His wife Bonnie had been receiving dialysis and was suffering from diarrhea, pain and trouble breathing. Doctors finally had to remove her breathing tube. Part of Hubley’s testimony described a scene that no family should have to go through. He was quoted as saying, “Christmas music played in the background as each one of us said our goodbyes. And the nightmare returned only weeks later when my son, Randy, started dialysis at the same clinic.”
Many more tragedies being discovered
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to increase the number of Heparin related deaths. The latest figures report that 81 people have died due to receiving contaminated Heparin, which is used to prevent blood clots in cardiac and other procedures. Heparin’s raw ingredient is derived from pig intestines and mainly comes from China.
The FDA is still trying to understand what went wrong, but says that the contamination seems to come from use oversulfated chondroitin sulfate – a compound made from animal cartilage that is less expensive to produce. It is investigating whether economic fraud may have been involved.
If you or a loved one has received Heparin, contact an attorney who has been following the Heparin recalls and whose practice focuses in this area of the law. To contact a qualified attorney to discuss your situation confidentially, please click here. The consultation is free and without obligation.
