Immunoglobulin products provide critical therapy for people with immunodeficiencies and autoimmune conditions, but demand is growing and supply is limited, so it is important that these products are used appropriately.
On this page you will find evidence-based resources to support consumers and health professionals to make safe and wise decisions about using immunoglobulin.
Immunoglobulin treatment in Australia: governance and national policy
Immunoglobulin products provide critical therapy, and can be a life-saving treatment, for people with immunodeficiencies and some autoimmune disorders.
Immunoglobulin products cannot be manufactured synthetically – they are made from pooled plasma collected from thousands of blood donors. This means immunoglobulin products are a precious and valuable resource. Careful management is essential to ensuring that there is an adequate, secure, and affordable supply of immunoglobulin products for all Australians who need them.
The National Blood Authority (NBA) manages the supply of immunoglobulin products under the national blood arrangements on behalf of all Australian governments.
The NBA’s Immunoglobulin Governance Program aims to improve the governance of publicly funded immunoglobulin to ensure that product use and management reflects appropriate clinical practice and represents efficient, effective, and ethical expenditure of government funds in accordance with relevant national safety and quality standards for health care. A national policy describes the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the management and use of immunoglobulin under these arrangements.
These governance arrangements ensure immunoglobulin governance in Australia, including eligibility under the National Policy and how to make a request.
Watch this video for an overview of immunoglobulin governance in Australia, including eligibility under the National Policy and how to make a request.
Program development and context
To ensure demand can be met safely, equitably and affordably, there are strict eligibility rules about access to and use of government-funded immunoglobulin products. The rules are managed by the National Blood Authority, under its Immunoglobulin Governance Program.
The Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulin Products consortium is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and supported by the National Blood Authority.
About the consortium
Increasing the awareness and understanding amongst health professionals of access to immunoglobulin products in Australia and improving health outcomes for patients through access to better health information to manage their health conditions. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulins Products Grant.
Value in Prescribing Immunoglobulins
Former NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj Associate Professor Steve Morris and former National Blood Authority Deputy Chief Executive Michael Stone introduce the Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulin Products.
Increasing the awareness and understanding amongst health professionals of access to immunoglobulin products in Australia, and improving health outcomes for patients through access to better health information to manage their health conditions. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulins Products Grant.
Immunoglobulin products provide critical therapy for people with immunodeficiencies and autoimmune conditions, but demand is growing and supply is limited, so it is important that these products are used appropriately.
This page provides up-to-date information and resources for health professionals to optimise the safety and health outcomes of immunoglobulins for patients with a range of immunodeficiencies and immune-type neurological conditions.
Immunoglobulin for immunological conditions
Information, tools and resources for optimising safety and health outcomes in your use of immunoglobulin with patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID).
Immunoglobulin for neurological conditions
Up-to-date information and resources for health professionals to optimise the safety and health outcomes of immunoglobulins for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic idiopathic demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).
Immunoglobulin for haematological conditions
Information, tools and resources for optimising safety and health outcomes in your use of immunoglobulins with patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Resources for dispensers
Information, tools and resources to support health professionals dispensing immunoglobulins.
Increasing the awareness and understanding amongst health professionals of access to immunoglobulin products in Australia, and improving health outcomes for patients through access to better health information to manage their health conditions. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulins Products Grant.
Immunoglobulin information for consumers
Immunoglobulin products can be a life-saving treatment for some people with immunodeficiencies and autoimmune disorders. This page provides information and resources to help you make decisions about your treatments in partnership with your doctor.
Understanding immunoglobulins
Find out more about how immunoglobulin products work and how they are provided to Australians.
Immunoglobulins, explained
An introductory guide to immunoglobulin products, immunoglobulin replacement therapy and immunoglobulin modulation therapy.
Managing your condition with immunoglobulin products
A guide to how immunoglobulin products are prescribed and administered.
Immunoglobulin fact sheets and resources
Have you or someone you know been prescribed an immunoglobulin product?
This section contains fact sheets and resources to help you at various stages of your treatment journey.
- Immunoglobulins management and wellbeing plan
This fillable plan helps you keep track of your appointments, treatment, and any changes to your condition. It provides helpful tips to support you in taking an active role in your treatment and helps your healthcare team target care that is tailored for you.
- Choosing wisely: immunoglobulin products
This fact sheet contains helpful information about immunoglobulin products and a list of five important questions to ask your doctor when starting therapy.
- Immunoglobulin products in Australia – information about access and consent
This fact sheet describes the access and consent requirements for immunoglobulin therapy in Australia.
- Switching immunoglobulin products – what should I know? What can I do?
Find out more about why product changes sometimes occur, what you can expect when you change products (and why), and what you can do to prepare if you are asked to change.
- Immunoglobulin products – when to stop or reduce treatment
Find out what you need to know if your healthcare team suggests reducing or stopping treatment.
Resources for specific conditions
Immunology resources
Do you or someone you know have a primary immunodeficiency and use immunoglobulin products for treatment? View our suite of resources for people with immunological conditions. This section was produced in partnership with the Australia Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
Neurology resources
Do you or someone you know have chronic idiopathic polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) or myasthenia gravis (MG) and use immunoglobulins products for treatment? View our suite of resources for people with neurological conditions.
Immunoglobulin consumer videos
If immunoglobulins (antibodies) have just been prescribed for you or someone you know, you probably have questions about how to manage immune-related conditions, the impact on daily life, and how this treatment can help.
These short videos describe treatment with immunoglobulin products to help you understand why immunoglobulin products have been prescribed, and feel reassured about this treatment.
In this short video, Professor John Ziegler, immunologist, introduces immunoglobulins and describes how immunoglobulin products are used for the treatment of immune-related conditions.
In this video, Catherine, a working mother with three children, talks about her diagnosis with an immune deficiency disorder, the treatment she receives with intravenous immunoglobulin products, and how her treatment helps her live a full, productive and active life.
In this video, Cheryl talks about her diagnosis with an immune deficiency disorder after suffering infections since childhood, how she worked with her specialist to find the right treatment for her, and how she treats herself at home with immunoglobulin products.
Your healthcare team is the best place to start for information about the diagnosis and treatment of any condition. Talk to them if you have more questions about immunoglobulin products.
To access a copy of the videos with the transcript, email [email protected].
Increasing the awareness and understanding amongst health professionals of access to immunoglobulin products in Australia, and improving health outcomes for patients through access to better health information to manage their health conditions. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing Program: Immunoglobulins Products Grant.