Factor 8

Bayer, a major pharmaceutical company, sold an infected blood product called Koate which was contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis. This infected product was distributed to countries worldwide, spreading two deadly diseases to unsuspecting patients. Bayer supplied Koate to multiple countries, including Canada, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States. The product was made form human plasma, which had not been appropriately screened or heat-treated for infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Because of this, thousands of people were infected by these catastrophic illnesses when they received infusions of this tainted blood product. At the time, Bayer had marketed Koate as an effective solution for treating hemophilia; however, it failed to adequately disclose its potential risks or warn customers about its contamination levels. Despite the dangers being well known to the manufacturer and health authorities, Bayer continued distributing Koate without proper safety protocols through the mid-1980s. The consequences of this preventable disaster are still felt today as many who were infected with HIV or Hepatitis through contaminated Koate have since passed away due to related illnesses or complications. Additionally, those lucky enough to survive continue facing challenges associated with chronic diseases and healthcare costs. Bayer’s failure and negligence impacted countless lives worldwide and serves as a reminder of the need for stringent safety standards when dealing with potentially hazardous substances like blood products. Companies should always value human life over profit margins; otherwise, such scenarios can become a global health crisis, as seen with Koate in the 1970s and 1980s.