Six Chinese die after hospital injection

Sun Jun 1, 2008 9:23pm EDT
 
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BEIJING, June 2 (Reuters) - Six people have died in the past 10 days after being injected with human immunoglobulin, proteins that behave like antibodies, at an eastern Chinese hospital, the official Xinhua news agency said citing local authorities.

The victims died after being injected with a batch of immunoglobulin produced by Jiangxi Yabo Bio-pharmaceutical Co at a hospital affiliated with Nanchang University, according to the provincial food and drug administration.

Authorities have ordered a suspension of the use of human immunoglobulin made by the company and asked it to recall the batch, Xinhua said.

The reports did not say what medical condition the patients were being treated for.

China is trying to crack down on fake or sub-standard food and medicines, after a spate of fatal cases in the last few years. It is hampered by the sheer number of manufacturers and a weak inspection and enforcement system. (Reporting by Lucy Hornby; Editing by Ken Wills and Alex Richardson)



 

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