Safeguarding global anticoagulant supply and access

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Global Health Security

Background:

• Anticoagulants are critical medical supplies with inherently fragile global supply chains.
• Reliance on animal-derived heparin and synthetic alternatives (e.g., warfarin, DOACs) presents risks from contamination, disease, manufacturing, and geopolitical factors.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of anticoagulant access during global crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the vulnerabilities in the global anticoagulant supply chain.
• To propose strategies for enhancing the resilience and reliability of anticoagulant access.
• To advocate for anticoagulants as essential medical assets requiring international coordination.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on anticoagulant supply chains.
• Analysis of risks associated with animal-derived and synthetic anticoagulants.
• Identification of systemic vulnerabilities exposed by recent global events.
• Formulation of recommendations for supply chain resilience.

Main Results:

• Current anticoagulant supply chains are susceptible to disruptions from animal-source issues, manufacturing challenges, and geopolitical instability.
• These vulnerabilities can lead to critical shortages, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A systemic approach is needed to mitigate these risks.

Conclusions:

• Developing non-animal-derived anticoagulants is crucial for supply chain resilience.
• Geographic diversification of production, protected supply corridors, and reduced manufacturing footprints are necessary.
• Equitable allocation frameworks and sustained international investment are vital to ensure reliable global access to anticoagulants.