REGULATORY UPDATE: AABB Reminds Facilities to Use the Updated Medication Deferral List

AABB reminds blood collection facilities to verify that they are using the current version of the Medication Deferral List (MDL), which is labeled “v4.0.”

On September 16, 2026, AABB released Association Bulletin #26-05, "B-Cell-Depleting Monoclonal Antibody Therapy and Blood Safety," along with an implementation toolkit outlining the latest update to the MDL. The update added a 6-month donor deferral following receipt of CD19-, CD20- and CD52-targeted B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody therapies in the “Immunosuppressants” category.

Staff at blood collection facilities should confirm they are using the version of the v4.0 version of the MDL, which is marked "Updated September 2026 – Immunosuppressants" at the bottom and includes the category "CD19/CD20/CD52 B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody therapy." This category encompasses therapies including Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Rituxan, Gazyva, Briumvi, Uplizna and Lemtrada.

As a reminder, AABB-accredited blood collection facilities are expected to implement the updated MDL within six months of issuance. Facilities should ensure the updated requirements are incorporated into donor eligibility processes no later than March 31, 2027.

Additional information is available in Association Bulletin #26-05 and the accompanying implementation toolkit, both of which are published on the AABB website.