BRIEF—New national plasma agreement ensures supply for Australian patients

The Australian government has guaranteed the provision of a safe, secure and affordable supply of plasma products and services with the signing of an important new agreement.

The National Blood Authority has executed a new national contract with CSL Behring Australia, a unit of Australian plasma products giant CSL Limited ( CSL(ASX), for the manufacture and supply of fractionated blood plasmPDF printable version of New national plasma agreement ensures supply for Australian patients.

CSL Behring has had a long standing key role as a trusted manufacturer and supplier of many plasma derived products, according to a Health Ministry statement which added that Australia’s blood and plasma transfusion services and products are second to none.

CSL Behring will manufacture the comprehensive range of blood products from Australian plasma provided by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service from voluntary blood donations. The products are manufactured at CSL’s new world-class facility at Broadmeadows which employs more than 1,000 staff in biotechnology, manufacturing, engineering, medical science, research and development and other roles.

The National Fractionation Agreement for Australia replaces the existing Agreement with CSL Behring which expires on December 31, 2017.

The new agreement will commence on January 1, 2018 and is due to continue until December 31, 2026, subject to rigorous performance standards.