NoBlood

Jan B. Wade · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 05:12 AM

Quebec Asked For Blood Alternatives to Supplement Blood Supply for Holidays

Anemia Institute releases survey showing strong physician and public support for alternatives to transfusion. MONTREAL, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - This holiday, the Anemia Institute is callingon the Quebec government to provide alternatives to blood for cancer patientsand others who need blood replacement therapy. The holidays and winter monthsare traditionally the most difficult times to maintain an adequate bloodsupply. At risk are those with severe anemia as a result of blood loss duringsurgery, cancer treatment, or other illness. Alternatives to blood can helpsupplement the blood supply, but they are not readily available in Quebec. Today, the Anemia Institute released the results of a survey showing verystrong physician and public support for provincial funding of alternativesthat can help reduce the need for blood transfusions. The research, conductedby Maritz Research in August 2004, surveyed 150 physicians across Canada and1,487 patient and public respondents, of which 612 resided in Quebec. Theresults showed:

93% of physicians agreed (completely or somewhat) that the healthcare system should invest in blood alternatives, with specialists expressing stronger support than family physicians.
85% of specialists and 65% of family physicians surveyed said the provinces should fund medication (erythropoietin analogues, or "epo") if they reduce the need for blood transfusions.
91% of Quebeckers (patients and public) said the province should fund medication that reduces the need for transfusions.

Erythropoietin (epo) therapy is a medication that works just like thenaturally occurring hormone to stimulate the body to make more red bloodcells. It is effective for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, who areparticularly at risk for anemia (low red blood cells). Many cancer patientswith anemia who are treated with epo are able to avoid blood transfusions.They are better able to manage fatigue and other treatment side effects and totolerate a full course of chemotherapy. Epo, if given before anemia is severe,can build up the patient's red blood cell count and avoid the need fortransfusion.

31% of physicians surveyed said they would recommend erythropoietin analogues for cancer patients with moderate anemia who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, Quebec will not provide erythropoietin therapy for cancerpatients until they have become anemic enough to require at least onetransfusion. This practice falls below the standard of care in otherprovinces, such as Ontario. It places the patients at risk. It uses up bloodthat might be required for emergencies and for patients for whom alternativesare not appropriate. Maintaining an adequate blood supply is especially difficult during theholidays and winter months. The Anemia Institute is calling upon allQuebeckers to donate blood, if possible. It is calling upon the Quebecgovernment to remove the requirement that a patient must receive "onetransfusion" before becoming eligible to receive erythropoietin therapy. For further information: please contact Durhane Wong-Rieger, PhD, President & CEO, Anemia Institute, (416)969-7435, (647) 221-5176; Lucie Chauvette, Quebec Coordinator, (416) 969-7464, (647) 999-7116