FDA Investigating Del. Heparin Deaths

RANDALL CHASE

DOVER, Del. (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it is investigating the deaths of two Delaware hospital patients who were given the blood thinner heparin.

Officials at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes reported last week that three patients suffered adverse reactions after being given the drug last week. Two of the patients, a 71-year-old man who was transferred to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., and a 64-year-old woman taken to the University of Maryland medical center, died over the weekend. The third patient, a 68-year-old man, remained hospitalized Monday at Christiana. All three suffered cerebral hemorrhages.

"The FDA has been here and they've taken over complete control of the investigation," said Wallace Hudson, vice president of corporate affairs for Beebe. ...