Blood Community Issues Joint Statement in Support of Individual Risk Assessment

AABB, America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and the American Red Cross (ABC) issued a joint statement on Monday in support of the Food and Drug Administration’s Jan. 27 draft guidance that recommends the use of individual risk assessment to determine blood donor eligibility.

In the joint statement, AABB, ABC, and ARC reiterated their commitment to maintaining the safety of the nation’s blood supply while making blood donation a more inclusive process that treats all individuals with fairness, equality and respect. The organizations also thanked the stakeholders who participated in efforts to expand donor eligibility and committed to working diligently to complete the complex transition to individual risk assessment as soon as possible.

The new recommendations will take effect after FDA issues its final guidance and formally accepts an updated donor health history questionnaire. FDA is accepting comments on the proposed guidance through March 31.