German Heparin Also Contaminated
With word that the FDA has disclosed that the Chinese contamination in a medicine similar to Heparin has been discovered in Germany, it is time to demand a full accounting of both U.S. drug companies and international pharmaceuticals as to why the production of these biological ingredients should be entrusted to Chinese companies.
See the Chicago Tribune story at:
www.chicagotribune.com
This latest development comes almost upon the anniversary date of the FDA's notification of the Chinese Pet food disaster of last year. Last year the FDA announced:
"On March 15, 2007, FDA learned that certain pet foods were sickening and killing cats and dogs. FDA found contaminants in vegetable proteins imported into the United States from China and used as ingredients in pet food.
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html
Then there was the continuing problem with lead paint in children's clothing. We have been warning about the dangers of lead paint in American homes for nearly a decade, but at least US companies stopped using lead paint in the early 70's. We will still deal with the poisoning of our children for decades to come, but how can the US government tolerate such poor quality control on our imports that such deadly paint should show up on children's toys?
At least the possibility of such issues with imports are getting to be a political issue, with both Democratic candidates advocating for tougher health and labor standards under NAFTA. But NAFTA reform only impacts the Mexican and Canadian imports. While protectionism seems to be an economically deadening concept, is there really adequate reasons for us to be importing agricultural products that we cannot monitor? Perhaps it is my Wisconsin and Illinois roots, but what possible reason can U.S. companies have to import pork products from overseas? And it it must come from overseas, why China, a country with such a poor track record on purity of their products?
Next: Heparin Contaminant Identified
Gordon Johnson is the Owner of the Johnson Law Office.
