Terms of Reference
The Review Committee
A Review Committee was created with a group of experts and a chair. The committee comprised suitably qualified experts selected by the chair.
What the Committee did
- Reviewed relevant local and international developments since the conclusion of the 2012 review in relation to deferring donors on the basis of current and/or past sexual activity.
- Considering above in the context of ensuring the ongoing safety of blood and blood products provided in Australia, re-evaluated the recommendations of the 2012 review.
Areas of Emphasis
Particular emphasis was placed on:
- Whether the 2012 review’s recommended deferral period of 6 months for men who have sex with men (MSM) remains appropriate, or whether a different minimum period of deferral is justified based on current evidence.
- Whether it is possible to consistently identify a set of criteria by which individuals might be identified as at greater risk of acquiring blood borne infections than that of the wider population.
- Whether plasma for fractionation (which is subject to targeted pathogen inactivation during processing) provides an opportunity to expand donation by MSM without affecting recipient safety.
- Whether the level of protection afforded by regular condom use and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) alone or in combination is sufficient to avoid exclusion. If not, whether the risk is changed such that the deferral period could be adjusted.
- Considering developments since the 2012 review, the appropriateness of excluding current and former sex workers and the appropriate period of any deferral.
What the Committee addressed:
In developing its recommendations the Review Committee considered:
- Compliance with Australian legislation (Commonwealth, State and Territory), especially anti-discrimination.
- The obligation of Lifeblood to ensure that the blood and blood products provided to patients are as safe as reasonably achievable.
- Regulations which oblige Lifeblood to conform to mandatory and non mandatory recognised international standards.
- Ethical issues affecting both potential donors and recipients of blood and blood products.
- The practicalities of implementing any recommendations in the ongoing operations of Lifeblood.