FDA Withholds List of Chinese Heparin Suppliers from Probe

[Celebration]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121037857970382109.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration is withholding a list of Chinese heparin suppliers requested by congressional investigators looking into problems with tainted supplies of the blood thinner, saying confidentiality agreements prevent release of the companies' names.

Members of Congress also are concerned that Chinese heparin manufacturers and their raw-material suppliers didn't fully cooperate with an FDA inspection team in February, after the heparin crisis erupted internationally, and barred the FDA from complete access to some workshops, records and workers.

An FDA compliance official testified to a congressional subcommittee April 29 that the FDA could try to revisit facilities in China, but said, "I cannot say whether they will admit us or not, or whether they will allow us to do a full inspection."

Tensions between congressional Democrats and the FDA over the agency's handling of the heparin problem and its willingness to disclose information have escalated in recent weeks.

"The FDA thinks they have it under control, but they really don't," said the congressman leading the investigation, Rep. Bart Stupak (D., Mich.). The FDA's reluctance to release the Chinese companies' names is a red flag, he said. "If I was the FDA director, I'd shut down every drug coming in from China" until they were deemed safe, he said.

[ekwhite]

1. This is outrageous

This is another example of the Bush administration's repudiation of open government. If the FDA will not release the names willingly, Congress should subpoena the records.

[predfan]

2. Its a warm feeling to know that government is, like O'Reilly, "looking out for us"

Most of this bunch should be in prison.

[ensho]

3. kick

nt

[lizerdbits]

4. ANY facility that refuses access to records relating to products for human use

should not be allowed to have their products used in formulations for humans. Comply or your products aren't usable. PERIOD.

My workplace is subject to FDA inspections, though most of what my group does is animal models so they might not have an interest unless it's something for the animal rule. My understanding is if they show up you either give them every piece of paper they request or you are in deep shit. If that's true it should apply internationally as well. NO EXCEPTIONS!

[bvar22]

5. One of the benefits of FREE TRADE !!!! WooHoo.

Global MegaCorporations get to maximize profits without any messy oversight or accountability!!!
AND...the US Government will PROTECT the names of the guilty!
:woohoo:

Thank You, Bill Clinton, for opening up Free Trade with China!


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[midnight]

7. I really had no idea what a loss this country experineced

when we lost Paul Wellstone. "There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Chulanowa]

6. That is an excuse to light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks

Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?! The FDA is colluding with drug companies against the welfare of the American people?