Brazil invests in Hemobrás and updates blood donation rules

The Brazilian Ministry of Health and Hemobrás have announced several measures to increase the national supply of human immunoglobulin. Through the Novo PAC program, Hemobrás will receive R$ 50 million to construct a new research and development laboratory, with construction planned for 2026 and 2027. Additionally, R$ 150 million is being used to acquire 104 pieces of equipment for the immunoglobulin production line in Goiana, Pernambuco.

To improve plasma storage, the federal government is investing R$ 116 million in cold chain equipment for 125 hemotherapy services across 27 states, aiming to increase storage capacity by approximately 30%. Hemobrás has also signed letters of intent with Chinese pharmaceutical firm Tiantan Bio for cooperation on intravenous immunoglobulin and with Roche to evaluate a partnership regarding the medication emicizumab.

Concurrently, Hemorio has implemented new blood donation rules following Ministry of Health guidelines. The updated policy removes the upper age limit for donors, allowing those over 70 to continue donating if they remain healthy and donate at least twice a year. The new rules also reduce the mandatory waiting period after receiving a tattoo from several months to just seven days, provided the procedure was performed in a regulated establishment. These changes are expected to increase blood component collection in Rio de Janeiro by 5% to 10%.