Comments on: Dennis Quaid Sues Baxter Over Med Labeling http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/ News, Comment and Conversation Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:49:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: PAR http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-282773 PAR Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:24:38 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-282773 To begin with, I would like to thank you for your extremely informative post. I would also like to say, like the previous commentators, that I am glad the twins are safe. Before reading your post, I wasn't entirely sure who was held responsible for this catastrophe and now I know that it was mostly the manufacturers of the drug. I agree with the fact that identical drug vials with different concentrations is dangerous for people working in a fast paced scenario, like a hospital. Moreover, the fact that Baxter did not recall its product even before the Quaid case, when three children were killed by the same calamitous error, is unfathomable. While I am sincerely relieved that the Quaid twins will be fine, it disgusts me that the prior deaths were not as well publicized. Do you think there would have been any change at all if these twins were not related to a celebrity? I found in my research that 1.5 Americans are affected by medication errors every year. I can't believe this wasn't a top news story before the celebrity scandal. On the other hand, I wonder if this is a problem of hospital accountability as well. As you mentioned in your post, the manufacturers did send a warning to hospitals describing their mistake with the vials telling them to be overly cautious. This obviously was not enough; but shouldn't all hospital procedures be meticulously careful when it comes to children? Overall, I would just like to thank you for your post because it gave me some more insight on a very intriguing, vital subject in the medical world. I hope that, for the sake of millions of children being treated every day, hospitals and medicine manufacturers make an aggressive effort to improve upon and diminish these horrific blunders. To begin with, I would like to thank you for your extremely informative post. I would also like to say, like the previous commentators, that I am glad the twins are safe. Before reading your post, I wasn’t entirely sure who was held responsible for this catastrophe and now I know that it was mostly the manufacturers of the drug. I agree with the fact that identical drug vials with different concentrations is dangerous for people working in a fast paced scenario, like a hospital. Moreover, the fact that Baxter did not recall its product even before the Quaid case, when three children were killed by the same calamitous error, is unfathomable. While I am sincerely relieved that the Quaid twins will be fine, it disgusts me that the prior deaths were not as well publicized. Do you think there would have been any change at all if these twins were not related to a celebrity? I found in my research that 1.5 Americans are affected by medication errors every year. I can’t believe this wasn’t a top news story before the celebrity scandal. On the other hand, I wonder if this is a problem of hospital accountability as well. As you mentioned in your post, the manufacturers did send a warning to hospitals describing their mistake with the vials telling them to be overly cautious. This obviously was not enough; but shouldn’t all hospital procedures be meticulously careful when it comes to children? Overall, I would just like to thank you for your post because it gave me some more insight on a very intriguing, vital subject in the medical world. I hope that, for the sake of millions of children being treated every day, hospitals and medicine manufacturers make an aggressive effort to improve upon and diminish these horrific blunders.

]]> By: ol cranky http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30230 ol cranky Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:41:31 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30230 Oh, don't get me wrong - Baxter should change the labels to make the difference more obvious, I'm just not sure the error didn't occur because someone just didn't bother to look at the label. A better, more productive, solution to suing the manufacturer would be to use the opportunity to publicize the need to support fast-tracking pedigree efforts and tracking through bar coding. Oh, don’t get me wrong - Baxter should change the labels to make the difference more obvious, I’m just not sure the error didn’t occur because someone just didn’t bother to look at the label.

A better, more productive, solution to suing the manufacturer would be to use the opportunity to publicize the need to support fast-tracking pedigree efforts and tracking through bar coding.

]]> By: Laurie http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30229 Laurie Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:40:25 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30229 There are alot of systems to blame for this one. But since it's been a problem for a long time, who doesn't matter who as much as fix it!! Heparin is not the only drug with this dilemma. Generics are a problem in this area also. We use to have Hydroxyzine(Vistaril) and Hydralazine(antihypertensive) in identical vials(same colors, same size). BIG potential for a problem. There are alot of systems to blame for this one. But since it’s been a problem for a long time, who doesn’t matter who as much as fix it!!
Heparin is not the only drug with this dilemma. Generics are a problem in this area also. We use to have Hydroxyzine(Vistaril) and Hydralazine(antihypertensive) in identical vials(same colors, same size). BIG potential for a problem.

]]> By: Lisa Van S http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30227 Lisa Van S Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:23:34 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30227 Ol Cranky, Nothing is Preventing Baxter from being a responsible and caring company, if placing clearer labels on their products that will prevent another tragedy-- Just do it, they will be a better company for it.. There's enough blame to go around.. Ol Cranky,

Nothing is Preventing Baxter from being a responsible and caring company, if placing clearer labels on their products that will prevent another tragedy– Just do it, they will be a better company for it..

There’s enough blame to go around..

]]> By: ol cranky http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30225 ol cranky Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:03:10 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30225 sorry, this was a hospital error. Cedar's-Sinai and other hospitals were aware of the possibility of confusion and the labels are different enough that even a non-professional would notice there is a difference between the vials. To sue the manufacturer when the hospital admitted to the error and has not so much as implied they received mis-labeled product seems a bit much (especially since the stated grounds for not suing the hospital is because the staff was nice and apologetic). sorry, this was a hospital error. Cedar’s-Sinai and other hospitals were aware of the possibility of confusion and the labels are different enough that even a non-professional would notice there is a difference between the vials. To sue the manufacturer when the hospital admitted to the error and has not so much as implied they received mis-labeled product seems a bit much (especially since the stated grounds for not suing the hospital is because the staff was nice and apologetic).

]]> By: Lisa Van S http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30208 Lisa Van S Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:44:33 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30208 Todd, Mistake, I was ready to hit you on that one. The pre Packaged flushes already in Syringes is what I had used for my daughter. As a non medical professional, it made my life easier and brought my anxiety level down. I commend the Company for providing this type of clearly pre packaged product. As a Parent, the expense of the drug is meaningless. High Volume of a setting, more of a reason to have clearlymarked packaging.. Todd,

Mistake, I was ready to hit you on that one.

The pre Packaged flushes already in Syringes is what I had used for my daughter. As a non medical professional, it made my life easier and brought my anxiety level down. I commend the Company for providing this type of clearly pre packaged product. As a Parent, the expense of the drug is meaningless.

High Volume of a setting, more of a reason to have clearlymarked packaging..

]]> By: todd http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30204 todd Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:18:38 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30204 my mistake - they are NOT made to look like marketing pieces. The vials are small and contain only vital information. That word is kind of important. my mistake - they are NOT made to look like marketing pieces. The vials are small and contain only vital information.

That word is kind of important.

]]> By: todd http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30203 todd Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:15:46 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30203 Huh, Lisa - it is not as if the hospitals only have to give 3 things via IV and nothing else. If every vial had a different look/feel to it, no one would know where to look for the vital information. These vials are made to look like marketing pieces - they are generic vials that have the vital information only and are small. Baxter sells heparin for about $.20/vial, a sterile product in plastic/glass packaging. Think they are making a ton of $$$ off this and putting it into the look of their vials? This was a hospital mistake as the 10,000u/ml heparin should not have been stored with the standard heparin flush supplies. This should have been a pharmacy order item that is separate from the 10 and 100 u vials. Also they sell prepackaged flushes already in syringes. But these are more expensive so not used as much. Not everything can be blamed on a company. There are thousands of vials in a hospital, they can't all look different. Plus they are barcoded and if the hospital had employed bar code readers this would not have happened. So let's go over hospital mistakes: 1) poor employee 2) poor system that allowed the 2 heparins to be on the floor 3)lack of use of more expensive, but less accident prone prefilled syringes. 4)lack of using a proven error reducer - bar code readers (expensive) And Baxter's mistake- They literally sell 10,000 different vials of IV meds and a few happen to look similar. Quit blaming everything in the world on pharma companies. And try to have some bit of knowledge before you speak out. The company should not be embarrassed as you point out - it was a personal mistake and a hospital system mistake all done to save $$$. Dr. Remulac is a great example - when you have a properly trained person who actually is paying attention and knows a life is potentially on the line this doesn't happen. Or barcode scanners could have saved the day. OK, I feel better. Huh,

Lisa - it is not as if the hospitals only have to give 3 things via IV and nothing else. If every vial had a different look/feel to it, no one would know where to look for the vital information. These vials are made to look like marketing pieces - they are generic vials that have the vital information only and are small. Baxter sells heparin for about $.20/vial, a sterile product in plastic/glass packaging. Think they are making a ton of $$$ off this and putting it into the look of their vials?

This was a hospital mistake as the 10,000u/ml heparin should not have been stored with the standard heparin flush supplies. This should have been a pharmacy order item that is separate from the 10 and 100 u vials. Also they sell prepackaged flushes already in syringes. But these are more expensive so not used as much.

Not everything can be blamed on a company. There are thousands of vials in a hospital, they can’t all look different. Plus they are barcoded and if the hospital had employed bar code readers this would not have happened.

So let’s go over hospital mistakes:

1) poor employee
2) poor system that allowed the 2 heparins to be on the floor
3)lack of use of more expensive, but less accident prone prefilled syringes.
4)lack of using a proven error reducer - bar code readers (expensive)

And Baxter’s mistake-

They literally sell 10,000 different vials of IV meds and a few happen to look similar.

Quit blaming everything in the world on pharma companies. And try to have some bit of knowledge before you speak out.

The company should not be embarrassed as you point out - it was a personal mistake and a hospital system mistake all done to save $$$.

Dr. Remulac is a great example - when you have a properly trained person who actually is paying attention and knows a life is potentially on the line this doesn’t happen. Or barcode scanners could have saved the day.

OK, I feel better.

]]> By: Lisa Van S http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30193 Lisa Van S Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:31:13 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30193 Dr.R, I have administered heparin to my daughter via a Pic Line, it was pre packaged and clearly marked, so why shouldnt it be clearly marked in a hospital. Publicity-seeking, in this case, thats a good thing.The Company should be embarrassed, there is no excuse for not taking a common sense approach. Dr.R,

I have administered heparin to my daughter via a Pic Line, it was pre packaged and clearly marked, so why shouldnt it be clearly marked in a hospital.

Publicity-seeking, in this case, thats a good thing.The Company should be embarrassed, there is no excuse for not taking a common sense approach.

]]> By: Dr. Remulac http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30190 Dr. Remulac Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:28:29 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/dennis-quaid-sues-baxter-over-med-labeling/#comment-30190 I agree with "Phil". This is a frivolous, publicity-seeking, "rebel (liberal?) without a cause" lawsuit against the manufacturer. All packaging/labeling is approved by the FDA. Every clinician, be they physician, nurse, pharmacist, is or should be aware of the different concentrations of heparin that are commonly used, and it is on THEM to make sure that the right one is used for the right purpose. Heparin is used SAFELY in tens of thousands of patients every day here in the US, and though there are human errors such as this, the overall rate is low given the very large denominator. Bottom line: the nurse, physician, or pharmacist who drew up the syringe is at fault. Period. Before you crucify me, I have 10+ years experience in the critical care setting and have administered heparin to thousands of patients without one single error such as this. I agree with “Phil”. This is a frivolous, publicity-seeking, “rebel (liberal?) without a cause” lawsuit against the manufacturer. All packaging/labeling is approved by the FDA. Every clinician, be they physician, nurse, pharmacist, is or should be aware of the different concentrations of heparin that are commonly used, and it is on THEM to make sure that the right one is used for the right purpose. Heparin is used SAFELY in tens of thousands of patients every day here in the US, and though there are human errors such as this, the overall rate is low given the very large denominator. Bottom line: the nurse, physician, or pharmacist who drew up the syringe is at fault. Period. Before you crucify me, I have 10+ years experience in the critical care setting and have administered heparin to thousands of patients without one single error such as this.

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