FDA finalizes recommendations for blood donations

Editor's Note

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on May 11, finalized its recommendations for assessing blood donor eligibility, which uses individual risk-based questions to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV. The questions will be the same for all donors, regardless of sexual orientation, sex, or gender.

The new policy eliminates time-based deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM.

These final recommendations are consistent with the policy initially proposed on January 27, 2023.

The FDA says it “strongly believes” the new policy “will not adversely affect the safety or availability of the US blood supply.”