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Self-sufficiency, free trade and safety
1Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Kivihaantie 7, FIN-00310 Helsinki, Finland. jukka.rautonen@bts.redcross.fi
Summary
National self-sufficiency in blood products is often debated for safety. However, true self-sufficiency is rare, and regulated free trade can enhance blood supply safety and availability, especially for plasma-derived medicines.
Area of Science:
- Blood banking and transfusion medicine
- Public health policy
- Healthcare economics
Background:
- The concept of national self-sufficiency in blood and blood components is a long-standing topic in the blood service community.
- Traditionally, self-sufficiency has been equated with maximizing blood product safety.
- However, achieving complete self-sufficiency across the entire value chain is challenging for most nations, particularly concerning plasma-derived medicines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the traditional notion of national self-sufficiency in blood products.
- To analyze the impact of free trade and competition on blood supply safety.
- To explore the necessity of international trade for essential blood-derived products and medicines.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and policy analysis.
- Comparative analysis of blood service models in different countries (e.g., USA, Europe).
- Economic assessment of blood product markets and pricing.
Main Results:
- True national self-sufficiency in blood products is rarely achievable, especially when considering the full value chain including plasma-derived medicines.
- Free trade and competition can positively or negatively impact blood safety, necessitating careful regulation.
- International trade in equipment, reagents, and plasma medicines is crucial for meeting domestic demand in many countries.
- Significant price variations among European blood services suggest a need for competition.
Conclusions:
- Dogmatic opposition to free trade in blood products is detrimental, particularly for developing nations.
- Competition within blood services should be embraced but requires proactive and careful regulation to ensure a safe and secure blood supply.
- Balancing self-sufficiency principles with regulated free trade is essential for optimizing blood supply chains globally.
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