Health & Medicine UNC heparin expert can explain production problems, possible alternatives
| UNC heparin expert can explain production problems, possible alternatives |
|
| Friday, February 29, 2008 | |
|
Jian Liu, Ph.D., a biochemist and professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy, is available for interviews about the recent recall of heparin products derived from Chinese imports. Liu is an expert in the production of heparin and can discuss the problems inherent in producing the drug from natural sources. Also, Liu recently created a synthetic version of the drug that should be less expensive to produce than previous synthetics. Synthetic heparin produced under laboratory conditions would not be subject to types of contamination believed to be responsible for the allergic reactions. “As long as heparin is derived from animals, it is more vulnerable to contamination than we would like it to be,” Liu said. “We cannot strictly regulate the natural world as we can a laboratory.” Note: Dr. Liu can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it To arrange an interview, please contact David Etchison at the UNC School of Pharmacy. School of Pharmacy contact: David Etchison, (919) 966-7744, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it News Services contact: Patric Lane, (919) 962-8596, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |