Brazil updates blood donation rules for seniors and aesthetic procedures

Brazil's Ministry of Health has implemented new technical regulations for hemotherapy, effective as of Wednesday, September 30, to expand the pool of eligible blood donors and modernize screening processes.

Key changes include allowing regular donors over the age of 70 to continue donating, provided they pass clinical evaluations. The new rules also significantly reduce waiting periods for various procedures. For instance, individuals who have undergone tattoos, permanent makeup, or aesthetic procedures like Botox and micro-needling may now donate after seven days, provided the establishment meets safety standards; otherwise, the waiting period is four months. Piercings in the oral or genital regions require a four-month wait following removal.

Other updates include a four-month waiting period after endoscopies or colonoscopies and specific guidelines for users of GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic. For these users, the restriction applies to those who have shared application devices. Additionally, the regulation addresses cancer survivors, allowing some to donate five years after treatment completion if in remission. To enhance safety, Brazil has also implemented mandatory malaria testing for 100% of screened samples using NAT Plus technology developed by Fiocruz.