Securing the future of anti-D immunoprophylaxis in Europe

The commentary 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗗 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 has been published in Vox Sanguinis.

Anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) is a life-saving product used to prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN). However, the sustainability of its supply is currently facing significant challenges across Europe.

‘Prevention of HDFN through anti-D Ig must not remain a blind spot in public health policy. On the contrary, it represents a strategic issue of health sovereignty, requiring concerted and sustained action at the European level.

In this regard, European Blood Alliance and European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), Council of Europe have initiated an ambitious action plan that encompasses the following:

1. Developing a comprehensive roadmap to (re)initiate anti-D plasma collection in Europe
2. Ensuring dedicated financial support from the EU member states and the European Commission.
3. Establishing a European pooling model to enable the fractionation of anti-D plasma batches collected from multiple Member States.
4. Promoting further implementation of foetal RhD genotyping to guide antenatal immunoprophylaxis.
5. Investigating whether anti-D dosing can be reduced, notably in low-risk settings.
6. Encouraging the development of sustainable alternatives to poly-clonal anti-D Ig.’

Read the article in Vox Sanguinis