The FDA will hold a virtual roundtable on Sept. 29 focused on strengthening the supply chain for collecting and manufacturing whole blood, blood components, and source plasma.

Representatives from blood collection organizations, product manufacturers, and federal agencies will examine shortages of critical supplies and equipment, their root causes and potential strategies for preventing future disruptions. Sessions will address how blood collectors currently respond to shortages, manufacturers’ perspectives on supply chain vulnerabilities and the federal government’s role in improving resilience.

For healthcare supply chain leaders, the meeting highlights the operational risks behind maintaining an adequate national blood supply. Disruptions involving collection bags, testing products, processing equipment, or other specialized components can affect blood availability, transfusion services, and patient care. The discussion could help shape future federal preparedness efforts and encourage closer coordination among regulators, manufacturers, blood centers and health systems.