Did Contaminated Anesthetic Propofol (Diprivan) Kill the King of Pop?

Two lots of propofol, the generic name for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, have been recalled because of bacterial contamination found in samples of the drug as authorities investigating the passing of pop star Michael Jackson cite the drug’s possible role in his death.

Teva Pharmaceuticals, the maker of propofol, said today that the Drug Enforcement Administration has asked the company about a specific batch of the drug. Investigators reportedly found propofol, which normally is not found or administered outside hospitals, in the Beverly Hills home where Jackson was living and found dead on June 25.

The drug company has recalled two lots of propofol after an examination found bacterial contamination in some samples. Those tainted batches of the drug have been linked to about 40 cases of patients in Florida, Arizona, and Missouri developing chills and fevers after being given the drug during surgery.

The vials of propofol the DEA is asking Teva about in connection with the Jackson case are from different batches than those recalled due to bacterial contamination, officials said.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs which are defectively manufactured and contain bacterial contamination or other impurities are to blame for hundreds of patient deaths and injuries each year.

Since Jackson’s shocking death, wild rumors about his frequent use of prescription painkillers and the anesthetic propofol in order to get to sleep have filled Internet message boards. Now, it appears the DEA is at least looking into the possibility that the King of Pop died because of contaminated drugs.

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