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BAXTER ANNOUNCES
AGREEMENT WITH FAMILIES AFFECTED BY RECENT HEMODIALYSIS DEATHS IN SPAIN
MADRID and VALENCIA,
SPAIN, November 28, 2001 -- A Baxter International Inc. subsidiary announced
today that it has reached an agreement in Spain offering compensation
to the families of ten patients who recently died following hemodialysis
treatment. The announcement comes three weeks after the company said it
had identified the probable link between its Althane dialyzers and certain
patient deaths.
"Our goal is to do the right thing. While nothing we do will replace
the loss these families have experienced, we understand their need to
bring closure to this tragedy. Our hope is that this settlement helps
to minimize the distress to the families involved," said Harry M.
Jansen Kraemer, Jr., Baxter's chairman and chief executive officer.
Earlier this month, after extensive investigations by Baxter and health
authorities in several countries into the cause of unexplained deaths
among patients on hemodialysis, Baxter determined that a processing fluid
used as a manufacturing aid appeared to play a role. This settlement follows
Baxter's decision to permanently cease production of its Althane series
dialyzers. Baxter had previously withdrawn these products following the
deaths and continued its own investigations when independent studies failed
to find a causal link.
Referencing the agreement reached with Baxter, attorney Manuel Mata, who
represents nine of the families in Spain, stated, "We feel that the
settlement each family reached with Baxter is fair and reasonable. Baxter
has treated the families with great respect during this unusually difficult
time. The families are comforted in knowing that Baxter continues looking
into the science surrounding these tragic events to ensure it will never
happen again."
Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company
that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people
with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's products and services in the
areas of bioscience (including biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosurgery
products and transfusion therapies), medication delivery and renal therapy
are used by health-care providers and their patients in more than 100
countries.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Sally
Benjamin Young, (847) 948-2304
Lisa Scheff, (847) 948-4107
Deborah Spak, (847) 948-2349
- Investor Contacts:
- Neville Jeharajah, (847)
948-2875
Mary Kay Ladone, (847) 948-3371
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