Clinical Partners
The NBA works with all Australian, state and territory governments, other government departments and our suppliers to ensure that Australians are provided with an adequate, safe, secure and affordable blood supply.
Signatories to the National Blood Agreement
As signatories to the National Blood Agreement, the Australian, state and territory governments are responsible for:
- Establishing the policy framework and specific policies relating to the national blood supply;
- Overseeing the NBA’s management of the blood supply;
- Fostering the development and implementation of best practice systems to promote efficient use and minimal wastage;
- Providing information in relation to demand for blood and blood products; and
- Managing local issues (for example, those involving clinical practice).
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The TGA is the regulator for blood and blood products in Australia. It is responsible for:
- Regulating the sector in terms of the efficacy, safety and quality of blood and blood products under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989;
- Auditing of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Product recalls;
- Modification to safety standards; and
- The issuing of directives such as donor deferral
Suppliers of Blood and Blood Products
The NBA has contracts with a number of suppliers of blood and blood products as follows:
- The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS), which is responsible for the collection of blood and plasma from donors and the distribution of fresh and some plasma products;
- CSL Limited, which is responsible for fractionating the plasma supplied by the ARCBS, and providing finished products back to the ARCBS for distribution; and
- Other pharmaceutical companies, which are responsible for the supply and some distribution of a range of imported or defined blood products not produced with in Australia and where domestic production capacity cannot meet demand.
A comprehensive list of the Contracts in place between the NBA and our suppliers is available here.
