ANN ARBOR, MI — Many students at the University of Michigan have gone home to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus, but some have stuck around to fight COVID-19 in another way: helping Michigan Medicine manufacture hand sanitizer.
Graduate student volunteers who are working toward pharmacy degrees are contributing to the Michigan Medicine pharmacy department’s efforts to make the in-demand substance. According to Jenn Erley, a clinical instructor at UM’s College of Pharmacy, the team has produced about 1,000 bottles of sanitizer within a week.
“While hand sanitizer is not considered a drug, pharmacists and pharmacy students regularly participate in the practice of compounding similar topical solutions, so we had the expertise and many of the resources within this pool of individuals to make this operation happen quickly,” Erley said.
Four to eight students and faculty volunteers from the College of Pharmacy, as well as Michigan Medicine pharmacy staff, participate in the effort each day, precisely measuring isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerol and sterile water and then bottling it with FDA-approved labeling, according to a UM news release.
Erley said the finished product is kept within the pharmacy for three days to allow for the product to kill off any spores that might have been present in the materials used. Then it’s given to material services at Michigan Medicine, which determines where it’s distributed.
Pharmacy Dean James Dalton told UM they’re able to make 200 to 300 16-ounce bottles a day, totaling up to 1,200 liters. Erley said they are continuing to have volunteers produce the hand sanitizer on a daily basis.
The graduate students, Erley said, are getting valuable intern hours that are needed to complete the pharmacy doctorate program.
“We have been able to allow this work to count toward intern hours for students who would have otherwise had trouble completing them with current work restrictions,” Erley said. “Many other students have signed up voluntarily.”
Erley told UM that they haven’t ventured into making anything else yet, but the helping hands have been incredible.
Michigan Medicine is monitoring crucial supplies like masks, hand sanitizer and other personal protective equipment and is proactively placing orders for additional supplies, hospital officials said. They are also accepting donations from the community, and more information can be found here.
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CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.