Heparins & Anticoagulants

Tender description

This contract is for the re-tender of the current Heparins and Anticoagulants contract which is due to come to an end on 30th June 2024. Anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, are chemical substances that prevent or reduce coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time. Anticoagulants interfere with the proteins in your blood that are involved with the coagulation process. These proteins are called factors. Different anticoagulants interfere with different factors to prevent clotting The contract will also include both unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). The LMWH products make up 95% of the total spend, as they are more widely used, primarily due to having fewer risks and side effects, because of the product’s low molecular weight. LMWH is also administered by subcutaneous injection, which is often preferable and easier to administer than the unfractionated heparins, which are administered as an intravenous injection, in high doses. Each of the LMWH have different license indications. Unfractionated heparin initiates anticoagulation rapidly, but has a short duration of action and so most patients will be administered LMWH which has a longer duration of action. Although, a LMWH product is generally preferred for routine use, unfractionated heparin can be used in those at high risk of bleeding, because its effect can be terminated rapidly by stopping the infusion.