Plasma fractionation review committee appointed

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17 Feburary 2006
ABB015/06

A review of Australia’s plasma fractionation arrangements to ensure the continued supply of high-quality blood plasma products will be completed by 1 January 2007, as required under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

A review committee will be chaired by Mr Philip Flood AO, former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and former Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Other members of the committee will be Sir Peter Lawler OBE, Professor Graeme Ryan AC, Mr Peter Wills AC and Professor Kevin Rickard AM.

Plasma fractionation is the separation of blood plasma into a number of proteins for medical use. Plasma products are used mainly to treat trauma patients, provide protection against infection for a variety of conditions, and treat haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

This review will identify any issues that may arise if Australia introduced increased competition into the provision of plasma fractionation services for Australia. In doing so, it will identify appropriate requirements to be met by producers of plasma products or suppliers of plasma fractionation services to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of such products and services.

Under the AUSFTA, Australia maintains the right to set requirements for safety, quality and efficacy standards for plasma products. Australia also retains the right to require that plasma products used in Australia may be derived from plasma collected in Australia. The review will consult widely with interested groups.

The independent review will provide its findings to the Commonwealth Government. In line with the National Blood Agreement the Commonwealth, together with the State and Territory Governments, will reach an agreement on the future of plasma fractionation arrangements.

The current policy of voluntary blood donation and the provision of plasma products to patients free of charge will remain and are not being reviewed. Ensuring the safety, quality, efficacy and security of supply of plasma products at every stage of the process will be central to the review.

Further information on the review is at www.health.gov.au/plasmafractionationreview
or call 1800 815 855. A list of committee members and brief biographical details are attached.

For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.