Taiwan's food and drug authority has suspended medical use of a batch of sodium chloride solution suspected of having been contaminated by bacteria.
Twelve patients in a hospital in Taipei had adverse reactions after receiving an intravenous sodium chloride solution as of Tuesday. Eight remain under treatment, in a stable condition.
Two of 17 samples were found to be contaminated with Ralstonia pickettii, said the food and drug authority, which ordered immediate withdrawal of all 54,400 vials of the batch with serial number 273A79D.
It is not clear whether the solution made by Taiwan's Y F Chemical Corp., was contaminated during production or after. The food and drug authority is working on samples and the source is expected to be determined in seven to ten days.
