Firm accused of shipping tainted syringes
RALEIGH, N.C. - A North Carolina company is accused of bypassing sterilization tests for medical syringes in a cost-cutting move that prosecutors say sickened hundreds of patients and led to five deaths.
US Attorney George Holding said yesterday that federal authorities have launched an international search for the executive charged with rushing shipments of bacteria-contaminated syringes from an AM2PAT Inc. plant. Two former plant workers who provided prosecutors details about the plant's operations have pleaded guilty for their roles.
The syringes contained Heparin, a blood thinner, and saline, and were recalled in December 2007 after an outbreak of illnesses. Health inspectors identified bacterial infections in Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Florida.
Heparin and saline are used to flush intravenous lines during cancer treatments, kidney dialysis, and other procedures.
Holding said investigators believe AM2PAT CEO Dushyant Patel has fled to his native India. Patel was indicted last week on 10 charges including fraud, false statements, and selling adulterated medical devices.
Patel's company sold nearly $7 million worth of heparin and saline syringes in 2006-07. Prosecutors said the facility in Angier, about 20 miles south of Raleigh, cut corners and failed to follow rules for checking sterility. They also said manufacturing dates were falsified to make it appear that safeguards were followed. 