A haemostat composition comprising a chitosan, chitosan salt or chitosan derivative, wherein the haemostat composition is in a non-fibrous form, and is able to fully degrade in a human or animal body within about 30 days. The composition may be in the form of granules, powder, a sheet, a foam, a film, a gel, a hydrogel, a laminate, or a combination of any two or more of. Preferably the composition completely degrades between 7-30 days, which may be aided by the composition further comprising a physiologically acceptable acid. The acid may comprise an organic acid such as a carboxylic acid, or an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid and/or sulphuric acid. A method of manufacturing the haemostat composition and the use of the composition in absorbing or stemming glow of a liquid discharged from a physiological target is also claimed. In one embodiment the chitosan is washed with an alkali solution to remove endotoxins prior to use.
