Six people have died between May 22 and May 28 after being injected with human immunoglobulin, proteins with features of antibodies. The cases were registered in east China's Jiangxi Province, according to statements local authorities made on Sunday.

The immunoglobulin was produced by Jiangxi Yabo Bio-pharmaceutical Co at a hospital affiliated with Nanchang University. The sale and use of the products were suspended by the Chinese authorities. As it is not yet clear why the proteins caused deaths, an investigation is to be initiated by the State Food and Drug Administration and the health ministry.

The state FDA officials received the death reports on May 28, but they gave no details about the victims, the medical disorder they were treated for and the dates of their deaths.

Immune globulin is an antibody extracted from blood plasma that can be injected into muscles to protect against hepatitis A and Rhesus disease in pregnant women. In developed countries where a childhood vaccination against hepatitis A is normally given immune globulin is seldom if ever used. 

This is not the first case that proves the low grade of safety as regards Chinese drugs. There was a controversy related to the blood thinner heparin a month ago. Following an investigation, the American FDA had concluded that heparin, fabricated from raw ingredients imported from China, was contaminated with over sulfated chondtroitin sulfate. This constituent wasn’t noticed earlier because it imitated heparin’s main ingredient, so it was difficult for the specialists to observe it.