Baxter Heparin Recall Has Little Impact On Domestic Industry

Baxter's recall of its heparin products has not brought negative impact on China's active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers. For instance, Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical, China's leading heparin API exporter, is exploring the expansion of its production. According to statistics from China Chamber of Commerce of Medicines & Health Products Importers & Exporters, heparin and its salt export reached $137 million in 2007, a 32.29 percent jump from the year before. Main export destinations include the U.S., Germany, Italy and France. Industry observers point out that China's heparin extract technology has long achieved standardization, but low-molecular-weight heparin did not enter the international market earlier due to quality issues and restrictions such as patent protection and drug approval. (Click here for more - Chinese Language)