U.S. FDA Refuses To Release Names Of Chinese Heparin Suppliers

The U.S. FDA refuses to supply a congressional committee a list of the Chinese companies that supply the active ingredient heparin used in blood-clotting drugs. Congressional investigators want to explore the agency's handling of drug imports in the wake of the tainted heparin problem believed the cause of several U.S. deaths. The FDA said it cannot release the names of the Chinese companies because it has confidentiality agreements with drug manufacturers. Members of Congress believe Chinese drug makers did not cooperate fully with the U.S. FDA's own investigation. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required