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UPI
2 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Argentina raises death toll from tainted fentanyl to more than 100
The government of Argentine President Javier Milei blamed blamed a local laboratory, HLB Pharma Group S.A., for the deaths of more than 100 people from contaminated fentanyl. Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA Aug. 15 (UPI) -- More than 100 people are believed to have died from a batch of medical fentanyl that may have been contaminated, Argentina's government said in a statement from the presidential press office. The government blamed a local laboratory, HLB Pharma Group S.A., for the incident. The tragedy, described as one of the most serious in the country's public health history, began with the distribution of vials contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria -- including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii -- used in public and private hospitals across several regions since early 2025. Although the first cases were detected in May, the death toll has continued to rise in recent days, reaching 96 confirmed deaths with at least nine more under investigation. From the presidential palace, President Javier Milei's government said the company responsible, led by businessman Ariel García Furfaro, engaged in "criminal conduct" by allowing the defective product to be distributed. The presidential press office said more than 300,000 vials of the drug were produced, about 45,000 of which were administered before recall protocols were activated. Unlike other critical medications, clinical-use fentanyl was not fully integrated into the national electronic tracking system, making it harder to detect the problem early and identify the health centers that received the contaminated vials. In a public appearance, Milei turned the health emergency into a political issue by accusing the Kirchnerist movement of having "covered up" for the laboratory's owners for years. Kirchnerism is a left-wing populist movement that blends Peronist nationalism with progressive social policies, economic interventionism and an emphasis on human rights "This is a longtime partner of the previous regime. We will not allow impunity," Milei said. He also warned that his government will seek the recusal of the federal judge handling the case if the businessman is not immediately taken into custody. The National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology said it had revoked the laboratory's authorization in February, but acknowledged there were failures in subsequent distribution controls. So far, 24 people linked to the production and distribution of fentanyl have been identified as suspects in the court case. All are barred from leaving the country and have had their assets seized, though no formal charges have been filed. At the same time, the victims' families are demanding justice. Patient organizations and health professionals have called for urgent reforms to the drug tracking system and a full audit of the health system's operations to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a press release, HLB Pharma Group said it is "at the disposal of the courts" and accused political and economic sectors of "opportunism" in carrying out a "media smear campaign" against the company. The company also said that "contamination such as that reported by some media -- involving one or more multidrug-resistant bacteria typically found in a hospital setting in the same batch -- is simply not possible in a laboratory setting."
India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
At least 96 dead after receiving contaminated medical fentanyl in Argentina
Argentina is facing one of its most serious pharmaceutical scandals in decades, with up to 96 people reported dead after receiving hospital treatment with medical fentanyl contaminated by dangerous bacteria, according to The official death toll remains at 87. However, the Buenos Aires Herald reported that nine additional deaths are being examined to determine whether they are linked to the tainted TRACED TO MEDICAL FENTANYLThe crisis first came to light in May when dozens of patients in hospitals developed severe bacterial infections shortly after being administered fentanyl for pain relief or anaesthesia. Medical tests revealed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii -- strains that, in several cases, were resistant to multiple traced the contamination to batches of fentanyl produced by pharmaceutical company HLB Pharma and its laboratory partner, Laboratorio Ramallo as reported by The drug regulator, Anmat, confirmed the presence of bacterial contamination both in samples taken from deceased patients and in ampoules from two specific fentanyl batches. One of these had been "widely circulated," federal judge Ernesto Kreplak, who is leading the investigation, told local DENIES DIRECT RESPONSIBILITYAriel Garca Furfaro, owner of HLB Pharma, rejected claims that the deaths could be directly linked to his company's product. In an interview with La Nación, he said the firm had voluntarily pulled the fentanyl from the market and suggested the contamination may have been deliberate contaminated medication was reportedly distributed to hospitals in Buenos Aires province, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Formosa and Buenos Aires city. Authorities believe more than 300,000 ampoules may have been affected, with approximately 45,000 administered before the rest were recalled and who received the contaminated fentanyl had been hospitalised for unrelated medical conditions but rapidly deteriorated after infection with the multidrug-resistant the contaminated batches have been recalled, new cases linked to the fentanyl continue to criminal charges have yet been filed, but 24 individuals connected to the manufacture and distribution of the fentanyl have been named as suspects. The court has imposed travel bans on them and frozen their IS THE MEDICAL USE OF FENTANYL?Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approved for pain management and anaesthesia, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In this case, the contamination -- rather than the drug's chemical properties -- is blamed for the deaths, making it one of the most smost serious drug contamination incidents in Argentina's history.- Ends
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Tainted fentanyl blamed for 87 hospital deaths in Argentina
The deaths are linked to batches of the drug contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. Relatives of victims of fentanyl contamination have staged protests to demand justice in Argentina. Photo by NACHO AMICONI / AFP/File BUENOS AIRES — At least 87 people have died in Argentina after being administered bacteria-infected fentanyl in hospitals, a judge investigating the deaths said Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Since May, a court has been trying to determine how many deaths are linked to batches of the drug contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. The suspected toll has soared since then, with family members holding protests outside hospitals demanding justice. The probe arose from a complaint filed by Argentina's drug regulatory agency, Anmat, which had received a report from a hospital that discovered the tainted drug in its supply, an Anmat employee told AFP on condition of anonymity. The deaths have occurred in hospitals in the city and province of Buenos Aires, and in three other provinces, the judge leading the investigation, Ernesto Kreplak, told The Nation daily newspaper in an article published Wednesday. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At least 24 people have been questioned and had their assets frozen by the court. They include Ariel Furfaro Garcia, owner of HLB Pharma and Ramallo Laboratories, which allegedly produced and sold the contaminated drug, The Nation reported. He denied the claims and blamed a former colleague for having planted the story in the media. 'This was fabricated by the media. All the clinical histories show that the patients had other, more dangerous bacteria, people with serious problems,' Furfaro Garcia told the daily newspaper Clarin. According to The Nation, at least five contaminated batches were distributed to eight hospitals and health centers in the country, although the investigation is looking at clinical histories from 200 hospitals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A relative of a victim of fentanyl contamination in Argentina marches to demand justiceNacho AMICONI/AFP/File Photo by Nacho AMICONI / AFP/File Two weeks ago, relatives of victims demonstrated outside the Italian Hospital in La Plata, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Buenos Aires, where the first deaths were reported, demanding 'justice for the fentanyl victims.' 'The fentanyl caused his death in a matter of days,' Alejandro Ayala, whose brother Leonel died at the age of 32, told AFP. Experts have warned that the death toll could rise as new medical records are reviewed and cases are confirmed in hospitals that to date had not reported any fentanyl-linked deaths. Argentina's Congress on Wednesday submitted 26 questions related to the case to the Executive branch of the government, but no deadline has been set for their response. Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls World Columnists Toronto & GTA
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Tainted fentanyl blamed for 87 hospital deaths in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES: At least 87 people have died in Argentina after being administered bacteria-infected fentanyl in hospitals, a judge investigating the deaths said Wednesday. Since May, a court has been trying to determine how many deaths are linked to batches of the drug contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. The suspected toll has soared since then, with family members holding protests outside hospitals demanding justice. The probe arose from a complaint filed by Argentina's drug regulatory agency, Anmat, which had received a report from a hospital that discovered the tainted drug in its supply, an Anmat employee told AFP on condition of anonymity. The deaths have occurred in hospitals in the city and province of Buenos Aires, and in three other provinces, the judge leading the investigation, Ernesto Kreplak, told The Nation daily newspaper in an article published Wednesday. At least 24 people have been questioned and had their assets frozen by the court. They include Ariel Furfaro Garcia, owner of HLB Pharma and Ramallo Laboratories, which allegedly produced and sold the contaminated drug, The Nation reported. He denied the claims and blamed a former colleague for having planted the story in the media. 'This was fabricated by the media. All the clinical histories show that the patients had other, more dangerous bacteria, people with serious problems,' Furfaro Garcia told the daily newspaper Clarin. According to The Nation, at least five contaminated batches were distributed to eight hospitals and health centers in the country, although the investigation is looking at clinical histories from 200 hospitals. Two weeks ago, relatives of victims demonstrated outside the Italian Hospital in La Plata, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Buenos Aires, where the first deaths were reported, demanding 'justice for the fentanyl victims.' 'The fentanyl caused his death in a matter of days,' Alejandro Ayala, whose brother Leonel died at the age of 32, told AFP. Experts have warned that the death toll could rise as new medical records are reviewed and cases are confirmed in hospitals that to date had not reported any fentanyl-linked deaths. Argentina's Congress on Wednesday submitted 26 questions related to the case to the Executive branch of the government, but no deadline has been set for their response - AFP
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Bacteria-laced fentanyl sparks Argentina's deadliest hospital scandal, killing 87
BUENOS AIRES: At least 87 people have died in Argentina after being administered bacteria-infected fentanyl in hospitals, a judge investigating the deaths said Wednesday. Since May, a court has been trying to determine how many deaths are linked to batches of the drug contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. The suspected toll has soared since then, with family members holding protests outside hospitals demanding justice. The probe arose from a complaint filed by Argentina's drug regulatory agency, Anmat, which had received a report from a hospital that discovered the tainted drug in its supply, an Anmat employee told AFP on condition of anonymity. The deaths have occurred in hospitals in the city and province of Buenos Aires, and in three other provinces, the judge leading the investigation, Ernesto Kreplak, told The Nation daily newspaper in an article published Wednesday. At least 24 people have been questioned and had their assets frozen by the court. They include Ariel Furfaro Garcia, owner of HLB Pharma and Ramallo Laboratories, which allegedly produced and sold the contaminated drug, The Nation reported. He denied the claims and blamed a former colleague for having planted the story in the media. "This was fabricated by the media. All the clinical histories show that the patients had other, more dangerous bacteria, people with serious problems," Furfaro Garcia told the daily newspaper Clarin. According to The Nation, at least five contaminated batches were distributed to eight hospitals and health centers in the country, although the investigation is looking at clinical histories from 200 hospitals. Two weeks ago, relatives of victims demonstrated outside the Italian Hospital in La Plata, 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of Buenos Aires, where the first deaths were reported, demanding "justice for the fentanyl victims." "The fentanyl caused his death in a matter of days," Alejandro Ayala, whose brother Leonel died at the age of 32, told AFP. Experts have warned that the death toll could rise as new medical records are reviewed and cases are confirmed in hospitals that to date had not reported any fentanyl-linked deaths. Argentina's Congress on Wednesday submitted 26 questions related to the case to the Executive branch of the government, but no deadline has been set for their response. - AFP
