Evidenced-based immunoglobulin decisions

Demand for immunoglobulin (Ig) products is growing, but global supply is limited. That's why we use evidence-based decisions to determine who gets Australia's government-funded Ig.

We manage Australia's Ig supplies following:

• appropriate clinical practice
• consistent criteria for authorisation
• current scientific evidence
• effective and ethical use of government money
• relevant national safety and quality standards.

Changing our criteria

Our 'Criteria for the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in Australia' sets out the eligibility for access to Ig products.

The criteria aim to provide Ig products to patients who:

• are most likely to benefit from Ig therapy
• have no other safe and effective alternative treatments.

It's important for us to regularly review our criteria against current reliable evidence.

Our criteria were:

• first published in 2007
• updated in 2012
• reviewed beginning in 2014
• updated to version 3 in 2018 (our current version).

Version 3 of our criteria aligns with new evidence to better manage the demand for this precious, human-derived product.

Our revised criteria help us to:

• improve access for patients most likely to benefit from Ig therapy
• articulate eligibility requirements, dosing controls and lengths of authorisation
• provide consistent access based on justifiable factors
• reflect current evidence and clinical best practice
• assist hospitals to meet national safety and quality standards.

Expert and evidence-based advice

We seek expert and evidence-based advice to help us review and update our criteria.

This includes our National Immunoglobulin Governance Advisory Committee (NIGAC) and its specialist working groups in:

• haematology
• immunology
• neurology
• transplant medicine.

We also seek public consultation on changes to our criteria.

This expert advice makes our criteria stronger and helps us manage Australia's Ig supply using the latest scientific evidence.

Get in touch

For more information about the governance of Ig products, contact us.

Phone: 1300 025 663 (13 000 BLOOD)

Email: IgGovernance@blood.gov.au