FDA Action Makes Blood Product More Accessible to Warfighters in Combat

A recent action by FDA will help the military treat severely injured warfighters suffering from traumatic bleeding on the battlefield

In August 2019, FDA granted a variance request submitted by the Army Blood Program for the use of cold stored platelets in theater for the Department of Defense (DoD).

The issuance of this variance clears the way for platelets, a key blood component, to be refrigerated and stored for up to 14 days prior to treating bleeding patients when conventional platelet products are not available or their use is not practical.

The approval of the variance request is another important action under the collaboration between FDA and DoD to expedite the development and availability of safe and effective medical products that are essential to the health of U.S. military service members.