Berne, 31.01.2017
The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products Swissmedic has approved a corresponding application submitted by the umbrella organisation Swiss Transfusion SRC. Instead of the existing unlimited exclusion for "MSM" (men who have sex with men), a 12-month deferral period since the last sexual contact will apply in future. The applicant has successfully demonstrated that this amendment will not lead to an increased risk for recipients of blood transfusions.
As a result, Swiss Transfusion SRC Inc. expects to be able to implement the modified donation criteria for MSM in regional blood transfusion services in Switzerland starting in mid-2017. Swissmedic's decision is subject to certain conditions. Specifically, the blood transfusion services will have to record additional data on the effects of the modified donation criteria and donors’ compliance with them, as well as closely monitoring the risk trend.
Certain behaviours can increase the risk of transmitting pathogens such as HIV or other viruses in the blood. Approximately half of all new HIV infections in Switzerland are attributable to men who have sexual contact with other men. This is one of the reasons why men who have had sexual contact with other men since 1977 have been permanently excluded from giving blood until now.
The new 12-month deferral period is in line with the precautionary measures applicable to various other risk behaviours (e.g. changing partners, staying in countries with a high AIDS rate, sexual contact with partners who have stayed in countries with a high AIDS rate for a lengthy period).
Blood products in Switzerland remain very safe
Since January 2016, the tests for specific pathogens that each individual blood donation undergoes in Switzerland have been further refined, resulting in an even higher level of sensitivity. As a result, the diagnostic window – the period in which any infections carried by blood donors cannot yet be discovered – for the relevant pathogens has been further narrowed (depending on the virus, the diagnostic window is 3 to 15 days after infection). The application successfully demonstrated that relaxing the exclusion that applies to MSM would not expose recipients of blood transfusions to an increased risk of contracting a blood-borne infection.
Donate blood responsibly
Ensuring the safety of recipients of blood products and protecting donors is a top priority. In the interests of protecting recipients of blood transfusions and blood products, it is important for donors to comply with the applicable donation criteria and answer the questionnaire they have to complete before each donation truthfully.
To ensure the safety of donors and recipients of blood products, donor suitability must be established before every blood donation. Certain behaviours can increase the risk of pathogens being transmitted in the blood and result in temporary or permanent exclusion from donation.
The donation criteria for blood donations in Switzerland are based on international recommendations and scientific data from Switzerland and other countries. These decision-making factors are regularly reviewed and modified.