Egypt's PM reviews draft executive regulations of law on blood operations, plasma collection

 

Madbouli also emphasized the major importance of a national project adopted and regularly followed up by President Abdel Abdel Fattah El Sisi to regulate blood operations for these purposes to secure the country's needs of plasma derivatives and reduce dependence on blood plasma exports, leading to ensuring drug security.

 

The premier said during a meeting to discuss the draft executive regulations with the ministers of health, higher education and scientific research, and justice.

 

Board Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (AUPP) Bahaa Eddin Zidan, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) Tamer Essam, and head of the health ministry's central administration for technical support Nevin El-Nahhas were in addition in attendance.

 

In addition to the definitions of relevant constitutional terms and concepts, the six-chapter document sets forth the measures to regulate blood operations, like the licensing procedures for blood and plasma donation centers, Cabinet Spokesman Nader Saad said in a statement.

 

It also includes a set of general provisions about the donation process and the tests needed before donating or using blood plasma.

 

As per the premier's instructions during the meeting, the final draft will be agreed upon within a maximum period of one week.

More than 300 plasma donors were registered so far since a national project to achieve self-sufficiency of plasma derivatives launched earlier this month.

“The goal of donating blood plasma is to provide medicines derived from it to save the lives of patients,” said Dr. Omnia Abdel Hakim, the director of the Follow-up Unit at the Plasma Project at the Ministry of Health on July 27. She added that the donation process helps activate the donor's somatic cells.  

She further explained that a comprehensive medical examination is being conducted to guarantee the donor is free from Hepatitis C and B, and that a donor can repeat donation every two weeks from the previous one.

The Ministry of Health and Population said that the project contributes to achieving self-sufficiency in plasma derivatives to provide medicines for the treatment of many chronic diseases, blood diseases, liver, kidney and burns, explaining that the amount of plasma that is withdrawn is compensated by drinking more water and fluids.

Dr. Khaled Mujahid, Assistant Minister of Health and Population for Media and Awareness and the official spokesperson for the ministry, explained that donors are received at six plasma collection centers in five governorates nationwide.