New Procedures Can Easily Reveal Heparin Contamination

St. Louis, MORecent research suggests that near infrared reflectance (NIR) and laser Raman spectra scans can quickly and non-destructively scan drug samples for imperfections like heparin contamination.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, a division of the FDA, developed the new approach in a bid to allow for manufacturers to scan pharmaceutical products for contaminants without damaging the structure of the chemicals. The procedures are not expected to supersede the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses currently required for drug medications, though they may provide a speedy first test for more thorough scrutiny.

The new procedures come after a recent wave of heparin allergic reactions due to tainted materials originating in China, according to spectroscopynow.com.

Heparin is an anticoagulant typically used in patients undergoing kidney dialysis, cardiac surgery and pulmonary emboli, though contaminated sources have been linked to severe allergic reactions and death.

The medication is derived from the mucosal lining of pig intestines or cow lungs. The anticoagulant's primary manufacturer, Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL), recently moved its operations to China, the world's largest producer of pigs.