MCC approves cattle blood meds

[S3cretz]

Johannesburg - The Medicine Control Council (MCC) has approved the use of hemopure, a blood substitute manufactured through the extraction of red blood cells from cattle.

The decision was made by the appeal committee of the MCC, the body said in a statement on Thursday.

The use of hemopure was under appeal after the MCC decided to discontinue its registration following "adverse publicity arising from a so-called meta-analysis published in the April 2008 Journal of the American Medical Association", it said.

However, the appeal committee found that hemopure was ideally suited for South African conditions.

"Hemopure is a blood substitute and can be used in emergencies where blood is not available. It is already in use in the USA where it is sold by Biopure and the US Navy is listed as one of its more prominent users," said the MCC.

Red blood cells from cattle are put through several processes to create hemopure, an intravenous drip administered to enhance oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.

Hemopure is approved for the treatment of Jehova's Witnesses as it is a medication and not blood.

The MCC said it had several advantages: It was safe for all blood groups; did not have to be refrigerated, but could be stored at up to 40°C; had a shelf-life of three years (against that of donated blood which is between 30 and 40 days); and it could not be contaminated.

- SAPA

Source : http://www.news24.com/Content/SciTech/News/1132/330fb9a2518d4417b3f2ff7b2bac6718/25-03-2010-10-10/MCC_approves_cattle_blood_meds