ROCKVILLE, Md., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention announces that it is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop more sensitive methods for detecting contaminants recently found in the widely used blood-thinning drug heparin. This contamination is suspected of causing severe allergic reactions in some patients and has resulted in over 60 deaths. The suspected contaminant, over-sulfated chondroitin, is derived from the dietary supplement chondroitin. The chemically-induced over-sulfated form can mimic blood-thinning properties. Consequently, heparin adulterated in this manner may pass existing quality tests. It is likely (but still being determined) that any deliberate adulteration was done for economic reasons, because over-sulfated chondroitin is a much less expensive ingredient than genuine heparin.
USP publishes official quality standards for medicines in the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) and has worked with FDA for over 100 years in a unique public-private partnership that helps assure the quality of medicines in the United States. Following a recall in January of suspect heparin products, FDA in March asked USP to assist in re-assessing current tests and possibly developing new methods for detecting over-sulfated chondroitin in the heparin drug substance before it is made into a final product. This work is ongoing and will result in updated heparin monographs. Heparin has been sold in the United States since the 1940s and has had a USP monograph since 1950, which has been updated several times.
According to Roger L. Williams, M.D., USP’s chief executive officer, “It is difficult for analytical procedures to detect and identify all adulterants. USP monographs are designed to test for known impurities that result from manufacture or degradation, not for unknown contaminants that may be added either accidentally or deliberately. USP will continue to work closely with FDA and other partners to develop the most effective approaches to assure the safety of heparin.”
The availability of a good public monograph in the USP with allied reference materials is one of a series of safety nets that work to assure that U.S. patients and practitioners have access to good quality medicines. Other safety nets include dedicated and trusted drug ingredient and product manufacturers who follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and sound sampling protocols in support of batch release testing. Oversight from FDA is also key in assuring product quality along complicated and at times lengthy supply and distribution pathways.
USP will provide further information as its work evolves. For updates on the availability of this information, please contact Laura Provan at lnp@usp.org or 301-816-8268.
USP -- Advancing Public Health Since 1820
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private, non-profit, standards-setting organization that advances public health by helping to ensure the quality and consistency of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, and verifying ingredients in drugs and dietary supplements. Its standards, which are recognized worldwide, are developed by a unique process of public involvement through the contributions of volunteers representing pharmacy, medicine, and other health care professions, as well as science, academia, government, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and consumer organizations. For more information about USP and its public health programs, visit www.usp.org/newscenter.
CONTACT: Laura Provan of USP, +1-301-816-8268, lnp@usp.org
Web site: http://www.usp.org/newscenter/
