FDA considering shift toward individual risk-based assessments for blood donors

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it’s weighing shifting its blood donation policy away from blanket assessments toward individual risk-based donor screening.

In a statement, the agency specifically mentioned risk-based screening for HIV.

The FDA didn’t offer further details, but the wall street journal, citing sources familiar with the plans, reported the changes would let more men donate blood.

Potential donors who have had a new male sexual partner in the past three months would be asked more specific questions about their sexual activity. Depending on their answers, according to the paper, they might be allowed to donate blood.

The current policy requires men to wait three months after sexual contact with other men before they can donate blood.