Like many Americans, including the families of hundreds of innocent victims killed from tainted Chinese heparin last year, Rep. Joe Barton, (R- Texas) is dissatisfied with the lack of information from the FDA regarding the heparin debacle.

Barton, (the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee), has asked the investigative arm of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, to investigate the FDA’s response to the heparin debacle. He has also sent a letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, demanding that the FDA turn over any databases relating to their investigation. (See 05/06/09 Article from NASDAQ, Jared A. Favole, “Rep. Barton Presses FDA for Information about Tainted Heparin.”)

An unidentified staffer for the Energy and Commerce Committee is quoted as saying, “We don’t seem to be any further along a year later from understanding [the heparin debacle]. What are they doing about it? Is this an acceptable practice in China?”

Last year, Barton also sent a letter to the former FDA Commissioner, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, seeking answers on why the agency took six months to confiscate 11 tainted batches of heparin from Celsus Laboratories (located in Cincinnati, Ohio) even though an inspection in April found that the company's recall was inadequate. (See Dec. 15, 2008 Blog, “Rep. Barton Questions FDA’s Six Month Delay in Seizure of Tainted Heparin.”) At the time, FDA officials said they could not give details because of "an ongoing investigation."

While we applaud these continuing efforts by Congress to get answers for the victims of the tragedy, similar inquiry should also be made of the responsible drug companies, including Baxter. It was Baxter who decided to purchase the cheaper, bad Chinese heparin from a Chinese plant that it knew had not been inspected by the FDA. Why? Corporate Greed. While the FDA certainly has a duty to provide information to the American public, we should not loose sight that it is ultimately the drug companies, including Baxter, who are responsible for ensuring the safety of their supply chains.

Barton wants the FDA to respond to his letter within two weeks. We will continue to keep you updated as to any response from the FDA.

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