Comments on: Baxter And Heparin Liability: Foreseeable Risk http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/ News, Comment and Conversation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:42:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Contaminated Heparin: Where is the Outrage? | Womenhealth http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-228832 Contaminated Heparin: Where is the Outrage? | Womenhealth Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:01:18 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-228832 [...] the PharmaLot blog, Ed Silverman interviewed personal injury attorney Eric Turkewitz, who undoubtedly had some of his own axes to grind. [...] [...] the PharmaLot blog, Ed Silverman interviewed personal injury attorney Eric Turkewitz, who undoubtedly had some of his own axes to grind. [...]

]]> By: Ed Silverman http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-226081 Ed Silverman Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:03:31 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-226081 Hi CMC Guy, You make an interesting point. I don't pretend to know as much about the intricacies of this complicated issue as others, and I've not been to China to see for myself. Although I have spoken with companies that do business in Asia and, like you, they talk about building relationships with trusted suppliers. However, given the lack of licensing and oversight by Chinese authorities, and the inability of the FDA to inspect facilities, it shouldn't be surprising that a deliberate act can take place. There are rogues in every country, after all, yes? I won't speak for Turkewitz, but that's what I took away from my conversation with him - if a company isn't going to get involved and foster the kind of business relationships you suggest, a climate can develop that allows others to take advantage of the situation. Anyway, thanks for writing in, ed Hi CMC Guy,

You make an interesting point. I don’t pretend to know as much about the intricacies of this complicated issue as others, and I’ve not been to China to see for myself. Although I have spoken with companies that do business in Asia and, like you, they talk about building relationships with trusted suppliers.

However, given the lack of licensing and oversight by Chinese authorities, and the inability of the FDA to inspect facilities, it shouldn’t be surprising that a deliberate act can take place. There are rogues in every country, after all, yes?

I won’t speak for Turkewitz, but that’s what I took away from my conversation with him - if a company isn’t going to get involved and foster the kind of business relationships you suggest, a climate can develop that allows others to take advantage of the situation.

Anyway, thanks for writing in,
ed

]]> By: CMC guy http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-226075 CMC guy Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:45:03 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-226075 Most of this interview sounds like lawyer double speak- I think I can say with a straight face that I am surprized at what happened in this case as appears to be a deliberate criminal act with disregard of consequences. I know not everyone is ethical and acknowledging counterfeiting of drugs is indeed a problem and China has a (deserved) poor reputation for controls would create a possibility of risk but to conclude this was all forseeable suggest would then require implementing precautions against every potential risk. There is a level of sophistication in making a very similiar molecule that could only be detected by extraordinary test means so again wonder how reasonably could anticipate the actions. I have dealt with Chinese (& Indian) suppliers for many years and major issues have been proper communication and quality expectations. Trusting relationships have to be built and even then dishonest actions can occur however this is not exclusive to foreign contractors. Most of this interview sounds like lawyer double speak- I think I can say with a straight face that I am surprized at what happened in this case as appears to be a deliberate criminal act with disregard of consequences. I know not everyone is ethical and acknowledging counterfeiting of drugs is indeed a problem and China has a (deserved) poor reputation for controls would create a possibility of risk but to conclude this was all forseeable suggest would then require implementing precautions against every potential risk. There is a level of sophistication in making a very similiar molecule that could only be detected by extraordinary test means so again wonder how reasonably could anticipate the actions.

I have dealt with Chinese (& Indian) suppliers for many years and major issues have been proper communication and quality expectations. Trusting relationships have to be built and even then dishonest actions can occur however this is not exclusive to foreign contractors.

]]> By: Ed Silverman http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-225999 Ed Silverman Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:03:59 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-225999 Hi Mike, Yes, I recognize that lawyers fish for clients. I run into such quagmires with interviews I run in the Question-and-Answer format. I've interviewed a former FDA official who is now a consultant and would probably like more clients. A journalist, former newspaper reporter and new author, who would probably like to sell books. An ethics expert, professor and consultant, who would probably like the higher profile. Most everyone has an agenda and something to gain from the visibility. On the other hand, if they have insights to share, I'm willing to take a chance and convey their comments. Hopefully, they have something useful to offer. And if they're honest about disclosing their positions, then at least we can judge for ourselves about whether we want to consider what they have to say. Having an agenda is not the same thing, after all, as having nothing useful to contribute to a discussion. Thanks for stopping by, ed Hi Mike,

Yes, I recognize that lawyers fish for clients. I run into such quagmires with interviews I run in the Question-and-Answer format. I’ve interviewed a former FDA official who is now a consultant and would probably like more clients. A journalist, former newspaper reporter and new author, who would probably like to sell books. An ethics expert, professor and consultant, who would probably like the higher profile.

Most everyone has an agenda and something to gain from the visibility. On the other hand, if they have insights to share, I’m willing to take a chance and convey their comments. Hopefully, they have something useful to offer. And if they’re honest about disclosing their positions, then at least we can judge for ourselves about whether we want to consider what they have to say. Having an agenda is not the same thing, after all, as having nothing useful to contribute to a discussion.

Thanks for stopping by,
ed

]]> By: Mike http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-225986 Mike Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:50:38 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/baxter-and-heparin-liability-foreseeable-risk/#comment-225986 "We spoke with Eric Turkewitz, a personal injury attorney in New York and blogger, who has previously dueled with drugmakers, although he says he does not presently have any Heparin cases." Fishing for clients “We spoke with Eric Turkewitz, a personal injury attorney in New York and blogger, who has previously dueled with drugmakers, although he says he does not presently have any Heparin cases.”

Fishing for clients

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