APEC Endorses Framework that Seeks to Ensure Safety and Sustainability of Blood Supply Chain in the Region

Health Ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies have endorsed a Roadmap formulated in Manila last year that focuses on building the capacity of blood services, infrastructure and governance, and promoting international blood safety and quality standards in APEC member economies, in coordination with the private sector.

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Fifth APEC High Level Meeting on Health and the Economy (HLM5) held here last August, the APEC health officials expressed their support to the APEC Blood Supply Chain 2020 Roadmap in order to ensure sustainable access to safe blood across the APEC region.

Formulated during the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum held in Manila in October the previous year, the Roadmap is the first of its kind in the region.

Delegates to the said policy dialogue and workshop noted that demand for human blood is increasing at a rapid rate throughout the Asia-Pacific. They pointed out that rising populations and living standards, healthcare infrastructure development and greater healthcare spending are driving the region’s need for blood and creating greater impetus for action to meet this challenge.

In an effort to address these problems, the APEC 2020 Blood Supply Chain Roadmap was crafted to provide guidance on implementing and harmonizing international standards; optimizing blood processing, testing, and distribution systems; improving clinical transfusion practices and patient blood management; and boosting capacity to develop and export plasma to help sustain blood systems in APEC economies.

During the HLM5, APEC health ministers also welcomed the establishment of the Blood Supply Chain Partnership Training Network to support the Roadmap’s implementation. The aim is to support supply chain knowledge and best practice sharing and technical capacity building cooperation, based on contributions from APEC economies, academia and professional societies, the Red Cross, key international organizations and industry. (PNA) SCS/PND-APEC COMMUNICATIONS GROUP/SSC