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Standardisation of Unfractionated and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

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Heparin - A Century of Progress

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 207))

Abstract

Unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparins are complex biologicals. Standardisation and global harmonisation of units and methods of measurement are essential for safety and efficacy of this important class of anticoagulants. This chapter describes the traceability of the international unit and current status of the relationship between the international and pharmacopoeial standards, together with a review on current pharmacopoeial assay methods.

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Abbreviations

EP:

European Pharmacopoeia

IS:

International Standard

IU:

International Unit

JP:

Japanese Pharmacopoeia

USP:

United States Pharmacopeia

WHO:

World Health Organisation

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Acknowledgement

Dr. Barbara Mulloy for the molecular weight analysis of heparin samples and John Hogwood for the assays of heparin and OSCS samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Haemostasis Section, Biotherapeutics Group, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3QG, UK

    Elaine Gray

Authors
  1. Elaine Gray
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elaine Gray .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, University of London, Brunswick Square 29-39, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom

    Rebecca Lever

  2. Standards and Control, National Institute for Biological, Blanche Lane, Potters Bar, Herts., EN6 3QG, United Kingdom

    Barbara Mulloy

  3. King's College London, Sackler Inst. Pulmonary Pharmacology, Waterloo Campus, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom

    Clive P. Page

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Gray, E. (2012). Standardisation of Unfractionated and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin. In: Lever, R., Mulloy, B., Page, C. (eds) Heparin - A Century of Progress. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 207. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23056-1_4

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