FDA ends blanket ban, adopts individualized blood screening for all donors including gay/bisexual men
- Gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can now donate blood without abstaining from sex for a set period of time in the U.S.
- The FDA will evaluate individual HIV risk for all donors through a questionnaire about recent sexual activity and partners.
- Donors who report recent anal sex with new or multiple partners will be deferred from donating for three months.
- The new policy is aimed at expanding the pool of eligible donors to boost the nation's blood supply based on scientific evidence the risk of HIV can be managed through individual screening.
- However, the FDA will continue to bar donations from those with a positive HIV test and those taking medications like PrEP to prevent HIV.