Health Technology Assessment Reviews of Immunoglobulin

Immunoglobulin is a plasma-derived product used as a treatment for a range of medical conditions. It may be infused intravenously or subcutaneously. Access to government-funded immunoglobulin is through the national blood arrangements and determined by the National Blood Authority’s (NBA) National Policy: access to government-funded immunoglobulin products in Australia and the Criteria for the clinical use of immunoglobulin in Australia (the Criteria).

In 2018, all Australian Governments agreed to conduct robust Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) of immunoglobulin use (Ig Reviews) funded under the National Blood Agreement. The Ig Reviews considered immunoglobulin use in the context of both intravenous and subcutaneous infusion where relevant. Outcomes of Ig Reviews aim to ensure government-funded use within Australia for specific medical conditions based on evidence of clinical safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This is consistent with how other pharmaceutical and medical technologies are assessed for government funding.

The Ig Reviews complement the NBA Immunoglobulin Governance Program. The process for conducting the Ig Reviews was based on the framework for conducting Post Market Reviews of medicines subsidised via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, with modification to allow evaluation of the evidence for each immunoglobulin indication by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC). The initial Ig Reviews are considered a pilot. 

The following links will direct you to the MSAC webpage where the Ig Review documents are available:

Conditions reviewed

  1. MSAC – 1564 – Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
  2. MSAC - 1565 - Acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia secondary to haematological malignancies, or post-haemopoietic stem cell transplantation
  3. MSAC - 1566 - Myasthenia Gravis
  4. MSAC – 1590 – Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)
  5. MSAC – 1591 – Secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia unrelated to haematological malignancies, or post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
  6. MSAC – 1592 – Primary Immunodeficiency diseases (PID) with antibody deficiency

For further information regarding the review process, please see the outline provided on the Department of Health website at Immunoglobulin Review Pilot Process | Australian Government Department of Health.

Keep up to date

 

Ig Program Updates provides a snapshot of the NBA’s current work program and priorities in the immunoglobulin space. It is updated quarterly.

To receive the latest Immunoglobulin Governance Program Updates by email, join the Ig Updates and National Immunoglobulin Interest Group (NIIG) subscription list: email Iggovernance@blood.gov.au(link sends e-mail) with the words SUBSCRIBE Ig Program Updates and NIIG in the subject line.

In the body of the email, please indicate your interest (e.g. Healthcare Professional/ Patient/ Government, etc.) and include your signature block.

Subscribers receive notification of the quarterly Ig Program Updates, and may also be invited to informally discuss and comment on individual Ig-related issues as they arise (participation is optional).

For more information on NIIG, see: www.blood.gov.au/Ig-committees.

For further information

Please contact the National Blood Authority on 13 000 BLOOD (13 000 25 663)  or email IgGovernance@blood.gov.au.