When Pigs Fly: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Navigating a Critical Heparin Shortage.

The Oncologist
Rachel P RosovskyPaul D Biddinger

Abstract

A recent outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in China has claimed the lives of millions of pigs, and although this virus has no health impacts on humans, the disruption of the global pig population has far-reaching negative impacts on economic and pork-derived products, including the creation of the critical drug heparin. The active pharmaceutical ingredient in heparin is derived from pig intestines, and because of the ASF outbreak, the U.S. faces an imminent shortage of heparin. This drug shortage has the potential for profound implications, as heparin is used in a substantial and varied number of medical conditions. In response to notification of the heparin shortage crisis, our institution, Massachusetts General Hospital, activated its Hospital Incident Command System to streamline organization of major stakeholders and oversee operational and clinical activities required to mitigate the potential risks and optimize alternative effective strategies. This article describes the essential elements of our institution's emergency response plan, including detailed clinical algorithms developed by our experts for maximal heparin conservation and waste reduction by promoting safe and effective alternative strategies. Through this ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 7, 2020·The Oncologist·Andrew Shuman, Yoram Unguru
Jun 4, 2020·Annals of the American Thoracic Society·Andrew G ShumanYoram Unguru
Jul 28, 2020·American Journal of Health-system Pharmacy : AJHP : Official Journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists·Olga Iwona PiatekDaniel R Touchette
Jun 3, 2021·Neurology International·Florian WilhelmyDirk Lindner

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