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Baxter - Class Action Information
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Baxter International Inc., a manufacturer of blood filters used during dialysis, has recalled its A, AF, and AX series
blood filters after 31 people died while undergoing dialysis. Since the recall, the number of fatalities associated
with the filters has risen to more than 50 death.
In August of this year 10 kidney patients died in Spain while undergoing dialysis using the Baxter dialyzers. As a result
of this, Baxter halted production of its A series dialyzers and authorities in France temporarily removed the machines from
nine of its hospitals. Then, in October, approximately 21 kidney patients died in Croatia over a period of one week. Some
of the patients died while undergoing dialysis, while others died shortly after, with most of the patients experiencing
shortness of breath, chest tightening, heart attack, or stroke. Croatian health officials report that under normal
circumstances, only three to six kidney patients die per week. Other fatalities have occurred in Italy, Germany, Taiwan,
Colombia, and the U.S.
Baxter International ordered a recall of all A, AF, and AX series dialyzers as a precaution. After the deaths in Croatia,
the dialyzers were replaced and no other deaths have been reported. At first, Baxter officials claimed that there was no
evidence to suggest that the dialyzers were to blame for the deaths and that there were other common elements that could
be responsible for the fatalities. Now, however, initial tests have indicated that a chemical used in the manufacturing
process may have played a role in the deaths. More research is needed to confirm this finding. Officials from Baxter believe
that the defective blood filters, called dialyzers, were manufactured at a plant in Ronneby, Sweden. The FDA has launched
its own investigation into the deaths.
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