Pro Pharma Talks

Blood Shortage  1. Usage = 32K pints of blood used every day in US 2. Type of blood in short supply = Type “O” 3. Impact – 4.5M      a. 220mg-250mg of Iron lost for every donation – 24-30 weeks to replace iron      b. Normal Iron levels = 10-30 mmol/L (also ferritin < 10mcg/L) 4. Donor requirements (Red Cross) – Good health, weight >= 110 pounds, >= 17 years old      a. Eat iron rich foods (spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron fortified cereals and raisins)      b. Drink an extra 16 oz fluids      c. Avoid fatty foods (hamburgers, fries, or ice cream)      d. No upper age limit 5. OTC and homeopathics, herbals, nutritional supplements are acceptable 6. Anti-depressants, Xanax, ADHD drugs -- OK 7. Restrictions (Red Cross) – anyone who has used self-injected non-prescription drugs, anyone who lived in UK for >= 3 months (and other parts o