With African swine fever wiping out a quarter of the world’s pigs, primarily in China, doctors and drugmakers around the world are sounding the alarm about a possible prolonged shortage of heparin, a critically important blood thinner. The drug, derived from pig intestines, is widely used to treat heart attacks and prevent deadly blood clots. China has been the primary source of the medicine, and the crisis there highlights a need to develop alternate supplies.
Deadly Pig Disease Sparks Fear of a Heart Drug Shortage
