The urine of some women is not suitable for making medications. This has been determined by the health authorities that oversee the production and quality of medicines. During the intake interview, we will discuss these health authorities' requirements with you and check whether you meet the conditions for participation.
If any of the following situations apply to you, you will not be able to participate.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase the risk of bacterial urinary tract infections. There is also a scientific link between diabetes and the development of hepatitis.
Due to the increased risk of bacterial infections and hepatitis, your urine cannot be used for medicine production. As a result, the urine of diabetic patients cannot be used for this purpose.
If you have gestational diabetes, you are still eligible to participate.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, often caused by a virus. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common forms, all of which have viral causes. As a precaution, urine from hepatitis patients is not used for making medications.
HIV is a contagious virus that weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight other illnesses. Without treatment, HIV almost always leads to AIDS, although this can be prevented with medication. To eliminate any risk, the urine of HIV patients is not used for making medications.
Kidney inflammation, whether acute or chronic, can impair kidney function. Acute kidney inflammation appears suddenly and is usually short-term, while chronic kidney inflammation develops slowly and lasts longer. Often caused by a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, kidney inflammation can lead to blood in the urine. As a precaution, urine from people with chronic kidney inflammation is not used for making medications.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare and serious condition that affects the brain and nervous system. There are three main types: sporadic, hereditary, and acquired CJD.
Acquired CJD is extremely rare and results from contact with contaminated tissue, such as during a medical procedure or by consuming infected beef (mad cow disease).
Hereditary or familial CJD accounts for 10-15% of cases and is caused by a genetic mutation. If a parent carries this mutation, there is a 50% chance of passing it on to their child.
Sporadic CJD is the most common form (about 85% of cases) and occurs spontaneously, with no known cause.
Because of the risk associated with CJD, people with a family history of the disease are not eligible to donate urine for making medications.
Between 1980 and 1996, the United Kingdom* experienced a higher prevalence of mad cow disease (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). To eliminate any risk, urine from people who spent more than 180 days in the UK during this period is not used for making medications.
*The United Kingdom includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.
A corneal transplant replaces part or all of the cornea with donor tissue. Since eye tissue is at a higher risk of being contaminated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the urine of individuals who have had a corneal transplant is not used for making medications.
A brain membrane transplant involves receiving tissue from a donor. Because brain tissue has a higher risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the urine of people who have had this procedure is not used for making medications.
A blood transfusion involves receiving blood or blood components (plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets) from a donor. Though the risk of infection or diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, is extremely low, urine from individuals who have had a blood transfusion is not used for making medications.
However, if you have had an autotransfusion (where your own blood is collected and later returned to you), your urine can still be used.
In the 1970s, patients with growth hormone deficiency were sometimes treated with human growth hormones extracted from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals. This treatment was discontinued in the 1980s after several patients died due to contamination with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
Today, growth hormones are produced synthetically using DNA techniques, but because it is unclear whether some patients were treated with human or synthetic growth hormones, urine from individuals treated with either form of growth hormone is not used for making medications.
Excessive alcohol use and intravenous drug use increase the risk of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Since the urine of people with hepatitis or HIV is not used for making medications, urine from individuals with these habits is also excluded from use.
Do you have any questions about these participation requirements? Please visit our FAQ page or contact us at 088 - 278 00 00.