Healthcare Policy and Blood Supply Continuity
Global concerns have arisen regarding the ability of communities to consistently meet hospital demand for blood products, such as platelets and plasma, for all relevant patients, including cancer, surgical, and trauma populations.
While the blood supply can frequently be taken for granted during routine times, there are actions that can be taken now in order to support patient access to blood products during future infectious outbreaks or other disasters that place the blood supply under undue stress.
With approved technologies for platelets and plasma, and solutions for pathogen reduced red blood cells in late-stage clinical trials, Cerus is a leader in the development of PI for labile blood products. INTERCEPT is an FDA approved and CE Mark certified medical device, which utilizes amotosalen/UVA light for PI of platelets and plasma for transfusion.
Cerus is offering support and recommendations to health systems mapping their prospective responses and stands ready to contribute to blood safety today and well into the future.
“The challenge, of course, is that as soon as this crisis starts to fade so too may the will to anticipate and prepare for the next one... The temptation to forget COVID-19 and move on will be overwhelming.” Cerus is committed to not letting this happen.
Blumenthal & Fowler (2020)
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18 FDA Recommendations for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma. Updated April 13, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/vaccinesblood-biologics/investigational-new-drug-ind-or-device-exemption-ide-process-cber/recommendations-investigational-covid-19- convalescent-plasma#Pathways%20
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