Fresh blood product issue data

There were 2.3 million components of fresh blood products issued in Australia in 2011–12 (1.2 million) and 2012–13 (1.1 million). Red blood cells (RBC) accounted for about two-thirds of all issues. The demand for RBCs decreased (most likely due to improved patient blood management and better inventory management), from 36.4 units per 1000 population in 2009–10 to 33.3 units per 1000 population in 2012‑13. The demand for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) also decreased during the same period, from 7.4 to 6.4 units per 1000 population. In contrast, the demand for platelets, cryoprecipitate units and cryodepleted plasma rose over the four years to 2012–13.

In the ten years to 2012–13, the NBA's expenditure on fresh blood products increased from $243.4 million to $549.3 million. Of this, $171.9 million was due to price increases, averaging 7.8% per year. $67.2 million was due to an increase in the overall demand for fresh products over the 10 year period, averaging 3.1% a year. A further $66.8 million was a consequence of the introduction of government-approved quality and safety measures (such as the universal leucodepletion of platelets and red cells), averaging 3.1% a year.

The Australian and international data shows, despite an ageing population, the demand for RBC has started declining around the world most likely due to the improved usage of blood by health professionals.