R 212014Z JUL 09

ALCOAST 417/09
COMDTNOTE 6120
SUBJ: DECREASING ASPIRIN USE IN MILITARY COMBAT ZONES
A. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (HEALTH AFFAIRS) MEMORANDUM DATED
12 MAR 2009
1. ASPIRIN IS A COMMON AND INEXPENSIVE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION
THAT INHIBITS PLATELET AGGREGATION, AN ESSENTIAL STEP IN THE BLOOD
CLOTTING PROCESS. THE INTENT OF THIS POLICY IS TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF BLOOD LOSS AT THE POINT OF INJURY BY PROHIBITING THE NON-
PRESCRIPTION USE OF ASPIRIN AMONG COAST GUARD MEMBERS SERVING IN
MILITARY COMBAT ZONES AND ALIGNS COAST GUARD POLICY WITH DOD POLICY
AS OUTLINED IN REF A.
2. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ALL COAST GUARD MEMBERS (MILITARY AND
CIVILIAN) WHO WILL BE DEPLOYING TO A MILITARY COMBAT ZONE ARE
ADVISED TO STOP TAKING NON-PRESCRIPTION ASPIRIN PRODUCTS AT LEAST
10 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.  IF PRESCRIBED ASPIRIN USE IS NECESSARY
FOR MEDICAL REASONS, THEN SUCH NEED SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED IN THE
MEDICAL RECORD. MILITARY COMBAT ZONE IS DEFINED AS A MILITARY AREA
WHERE COMBAT FORCES OPERATE (EG.CENTCOM AOR).
3. ACCESS TO ASPIRIN IN THE MILITARY COMBAT ZONE SHOULD BE
CONTROLLED AND AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH MEDICAL PROVIDERS. THERE
SHOULD BE NO OVER- THE-COUNTER ACCESS. ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS
ACETAMINOPHEN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
4. FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MESSAGE CONTACT COMDT (CG-1121),
CDR ERICA SCHWARTZ AT ERICA.G.SCHWARTZ(AT)USCG.MIL OR
(202)475-5172.
5. RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE
SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.