Access to Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)

Online version of the Criteria

BloodSTAR facilitates requests for immunoglobulin in accordance with the Criteria for the clinical use of immunoglobulin in Australia, Version 3 (the Criteria). The Criteria as they appear in BloodSTAR can be viewed here.

Quick view of access to Ig flowchart

Overview: Access to IVIg in Australia

 

There are two main ways intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is available in Australia:

  1. Supply under national blood supply arrangements
  2. Supply through other arrangements: Jurisdictional Direct Orders; private direct order.

Supply under National Blood Supply Arrangements

 

If the IVIg is ordered to treat a medical condition which is funded under the Criteria for the clinical use of immunoglobulin in Australia (the Criteria), then the product is supplied and funded under the national blood supply arrangements.  In this case the cost of the product is shared between the Commonwealth and the relevant state or territory.

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood) is contracted by the National Blood Authority (NBA) as the authoriser and distributor of all IVIg funded under the national blood supply arrangements.  In seeking authorisation, the requesting medical officer will be asked to provide information to Lifeblood through BloodSTAR to establish that the request meets the Criteria. Orders for IVIg for approved patients are made through BloodNet.

Access to BloodSTAR and BloodNet is only available through the BloodPortal. To register an individual account follow the process outlined in the instructions and tip sheets available here.

Domestic Versus Imported IVIg under National Blood Supply Arrangements

When a clinician completes an authorisation request in BloodSTAR the system will allocate either domestic or imported Ig product based on system rules. This allocation is based on a plan agreed between the NBA, the Commonwealth and states and territories. The allocation plan specifies the categories of medical conditions and patients who will receive domestic IVIg and the categories who will receive imported IVIg. This product choice can be changed by the requesting clinician or Lifeblood if deemed necessary.

Supply Outside of National Blood Supply Arrangements

 

Where a patient’s condition is not funded under the national blood arrangements, a medical officer may be able to access IVIg products:

  • through a jurisdictional direct order (JDO), or
  • directly from relevant suppliers on a commercial basis and at private expense.

For further information, see: Ig Access Outside of the National Blood Arrangements.

Keep up to date

 

Ig Program Updates provides a snapshot of the NBA’s current work program and priorities in the immunoglobulin space. It is updated quarterly.

To receive the latest Immunoglobulin Governance Program Updates by email, join the Ig Updates and National Immunoglobulin Interest Group (NIIG) subscription list: email Iggovernance@blood.gov.au(link sends e-mail) with the words SUBSCRIBE Ig Program Updates and NIIG in the subject line.

In the body of the email, please indicate your interest (e.g. Healthcare Professional/ Patient/ Government, etc.) and include your signature block.

Subscribers receive notification of the quarterly Ig Program Updates, and may also be invited to informally discuss and comment on individual Ig-related issues as they arise (participation is optional).

For more information on NIIG, see: www.blood.gov.au/Ig-committees.

For further information

 

Please contact the National Blood Authority on 13 000 BLOOD (13 000 25 663)  or email IgGovernance@blood.gov.au.