FDA Moves to Boost Blood Supply by Easing Donation Guidelines

The Food and Drug Administration moved Tuesday to bolster the nation’s blood supply by easing some requirements for establishments that collect blood and blood components, including source plasma.

The FDA said in a final guidance document that it does not intend to take regulatory action for a blood establishment’s failure to comply with certain requirements in the agency’s regulations regarding donation suitability, donor eligibility, and quarantine hold for source plasma.

The agency won’t enforce certain federal regulations for pulse, weight, and other factors considered to determine donor eligibility.

The agency said it expects this compliance policy will increase the availability …