• Why is there a new reference standard for heparin?
• How does heparin potency differ between the new and old standard?
• How should clinicians dose the new heparin?
• How can clinicians differentiate between the old and new heparin products?
• What are strategies clinicians can use to separate old and new heparin?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted healthcare professionals to changes in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph for heparin products, effective October 1, 2009. Heparin made using the tests and reference standards in the new USP monograph will become available in healthcare facilities on or after October 8, 2009.