US blood companies to use NAT (nucleic acid testing) for HIV/HCV, says FDA:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The US FDA has gently warned blood manufacturers that they need to begin incorporating nucleic acid testing technology (NAT) to screen for HIV-1 and Hepatitis C. In a draft guidance document issued last week, the agency said that manufacturers should implement NAT testing for the two viruses within six months of final guidance being issued. The notice was published in the Federal Register on April 9. Comments are due by July 8 so the agency can prepare the final document, the FDA said.