Forensic report: Contaminated fentanyl ‘contributed to fatal outcomes’ in almost every case

Studies and investigations to determine what happened with the contaminated fentanyl at the heart of a scandal continue to add more evidence to the case and complications for those responsible.

A first report by Supreme Court forensic experts has revealed that the drug contained bacteria which were a “determining” factor culminating in the death of 96 people. The survey was carried out on the basis of 20 clinical histories by the body's medical corps as part of a case opened in May when reports of deaths linked to fentanyl first broke.

The clinical histories of the following institutions were studied: the Hospital Italiano in La Plata and Hospital Italiano in Rosario, the Hospital Clemente Álvarez in Rosario, the Instituto Dupuytren Traumatología y Ortopedia and the Sanatorio Parque hospitals in Rosario, Entre Ríos and Santa Fe.

The results were sent for analysis on the orders of La Plata Federal Judge Ernesto Kreplak leading the case. According to the investigators, Batch 31202, which was elaborated on December 18, 2014, was contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. The former is the deadlier and known as a bacteria resistant to various treatments with antibiotics, thus complicating its eradication.

Nevertheless, in the 20 cases analysed by the investigators (seconded by forensic experts designated by the producers of the drug, HLB Pharma, and its owner Ariel García Furfaro), they pointed out that they could not associate the presence of the contaminated drug as the "direct causal nexus" in the death of the patients. That does not contradict, as they explain later, that in 12 of the clinical histories studied, the application of the product constituted "a significant aggravating factor in the condition of patients with a complex clinical picture with multiple comorbidities, contributing to the fatal outcome.”

– TIMES/NA