Miga is getting numerous reports of tightening global supply for porcine-derived heparin and heparin-treated products. This is driven by lingering impacts of the African Swine Fever outbreak in China that goes back to 2019. Heparin production in China is estimated to account for as much as 80% of the global heparin supply. Ongoing biosecurity challenges and prior livestock losses have created an environment where continued volatility is anticipated, with some suppliers projecting extended recovery timelines as far out as 2027 or beyond.
Affected products:
Heparin is widely used across healthcare settings for anticoagulation applications including IV line maintenance, dialysis, surgical procedures, blood sampling, clot prevention/treatment and more.
Recommended action:
Assess exposure to heparin-dependent products and procedures. Verify the status of existing or recurring product orders with suppliers to confirm availability and any plans for future allocations or reductions to available supply for your facilities.
Evaluate alternative products (enoxaparin and fondaparinux have been identified as possible alternatives to evaluate). Currently, the US market does not utilize bovine heparin, but the FDA has indicated it will support the development of non-porcine heparin products. This link is to information posted on the FDA website about potential reintroduction of bovine heparin.
Miga Solutions will continue to monitor developments in this situation and send additional relevant information as it becomes available.
– The Miga Team