Canadian authorities file charges in tainted blood case

Pharmaceutical says charge are unjustified

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Canadian authorities Wednesday charged Armour Pharmaceuticals and a former vice president of the company with criminal negligence for allegedly distributing tainted blood that caused thousands to become infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

The charges follow a five-year investigation by the Blood Task Force of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In addition to Armour and Michael Rodell, who was the company's vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, authorities charged two doctors who worked for the Canadian federal government, the Canadian Red Cross Society, and the director of the Red Cross' Blood Transfusion Service.

Prosecutors allege that in the 1980s they distributed tainted blood that led to more than 1,000 people becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and tens of thousands contracting hepatitis C.

Armour Pharmaceuticals called the criminal charges "unfair and unjustified" and said it would "vigorously defend its actions in the Canadian justice system." Court appearances are scheduled for December 10 and 11 in Toronto.

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