The U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend a loosening of restrictions of blood donations for men who have sex with men.
Following several recently completed scientific studies and recent epidemiologic data the FDA decided to change their recommendations on blood donation for men who have sex with men from indefinite deferral, to one year since the last sexual contact. The findings align with the recommendation of an independent expert advisory panel the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability,
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is a science-based regulatory agency that works to protect and promote the public health. In this role, it is our responsibility to regulate the blood supply and to help ensure its continued safety for the patients who receive these life-saving products," FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg said in an FDA news release.
The new recommendations for this population are now closer to the deferral period given to men and women who also have an increased risk of HIV infection.
In order to further prevent HIV infection through donor blood the FDA is collaborating with the NIH's National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to form a national blood surveillance system that will help monitor the safety of the blood supply as well as keep track of how these new recommendations influence HIV contamination.
"The FDA intends to issue a draft guidance recommending this proposed change in policy in 2015, which will also include an opportunity for public comment. We encourage all stakeholders to take this opportunity to provide any information the agency should consider, and look forward to receiving and reviewing these comments," concluded Hamburg.
The FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety of human drugs as well as " food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products."
