[Collection and utilization of plasma in Austria: on the way to national self-sufficiency]

Self-sufficiency for plasma and plasma products on the basis of voluntary non-remunerated donation is more than guaranteed in Austria. Historically commercial enterprises are co-operating with the non profit sector of the Austrian Red Cross in an ideal way since more than 30 years. Austria needs about 16 millions IE of factor VIII yearly to treat the haemophilia patients as it should be. About 100,000 1 source plasma (FFP) coming from the industry and some 50,000 1 of frozen plasma per year being given for fractionation by the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Services seem to be sufficient for preparing the amount of factor VIII needed. Austria feels furthermore responsible to also fulfill its part as a member of the European Community in order to reach the common European goal of self-sufficiency in due time. As for the term "non remunerated' it is our strong concern that to compensate the plasma donor's time- and work-spending by reinbursement does not mean any sort of "payment'. We agree herewith with the opinion of the "Arbeitskreis Blut' in Germany. To change the successful way of having enough raw material to treat all our haemophilia patients with the necessary amounts of factor VIII by abruptly and artificially pressing for unpaid plasma donations would be a bad decision. By certainly not getting enough plasma by using such an unusual way this idea would not be successful. Austrian Red Cross does not intend to create own plasmapheresis-centres.