Factsheets

Imported Blood Products

Why does Australia import blood products?

Australia is committed to being self-sufficient in its supply of blood and blood products where feasible and this is one of the supporting policy aims of the
National Blood Agreement, which was signed in 2003 by all Australian, State and Territory governments as part of reforms to the blood sector.

However, it is necessary for Australia to import blood and blood products in a range of circumstances, such as rare blood types and some plasma products
because we cannot supply enough or these products are not able to be produced in Australia.

Importing these products helps to:

• address shortfalls in domestic supply and production;
• obtain products which are not produced in Australia; and
• ensure supply security and contingency planning.

This enables all Australian patients to have access to products when they need
them. All this happens within the framework that:

• minimises product safety risks to patients
• ensures affordability of products to the Australian health sector; and
• recognises the practicalities of production and distribution.

Are imported products safe?

Blood and blood products supplied in Australia, whether domestic or imported, all meet the same stringent safety and efficacy guidelines set out by the Therapeutic
Goods Administration. Concerns over the safety of imported products are unfounded.

Importing products due to shortages in domestic supply

For some products, demand exceeds domestic supply in Australia. For example, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been in short supply in Australia for years. IVIg is commonly used to treat patients with primary immune deficiencies. Australia addresses this shortage through a standing offer. A standing offer is a contractual arrangement with a second supplier to provide products during times of shortage. This allows access to imported IVIg as a contingency, if and when needed, to supplement shortfalls in the domestic IVIg supply.

Importing products not produced in Australia

Australia imports a range of plasma-derived and recombinant (genetically engineered) products, which are largely used for the treatment of haemophilia, as these products are not produced in Australia. In some instances, there are only one or two suppliers of these products worldwide.

National Blood Supply Contingency Plan (NBSCP)
Australia's Response to Blood Shortages

National Blood Sector Conference 08
Conference Proceedings

Australian Bleeding Disorders Registry (ABDR)

Annual Report for 2007-08

Procurement

- Provision of Internal Audit Services