We would like to shine a spotlight on the array of platelet products available at WCBS and recent amendments to the state sector pricing of these products. The three different products currently available are pooled platelets, leucocyte reduced (filtered) platelets, and single donor (apheresis) platelets. Find out more about their indications for use and costs!

All three platelet products are regarded as equivalent in terms of post-transfusion increments and haemostatic efficacy. The pooled products carry a higher risk of alloimmunisation (i.e. antibody formation to donor platelet antigens), and therefore single donor or leucocyte reduced (filtered) pooled platelet products are recommended for patients with chronic transfusion needs (e.g. those with haematological malignancies or undergoing stem-cell transplants). Studies have shown that a leucocyte poor platelet pool is equivalent in terms of platelet alloimmunisation compared to a single donor (apheresis) platelet.

The state healthcare sector will benefit from the revised prices effective 1 April 2025, whereas a price review for the private health sector is planned for next year.  WCBS has decreased the premium charged for leucocyte reduction of the pooled platelet products, and constrained the price of apheresis platelets despite these being more costly to produce primarily due to the donation kit costs.

The WCBS 2025 state prices (and product particulars) per platelet product are as follows:

  • Leucocyte poor (filtered) pooled platelet: R 10 801.29 including VAT
    Platelet count: ≥2.4 x 1011/unit | leucocyte count: ≤5×106/unit | volume: >200ml | number of donations per pool: ≥4
  • Single donor (apheresis) platelet: R 12 636.34 including VAT
    Platelet count ≥2.4 x 1011/unit | leucocyte count ≤5×106/unit | volume >200ml
  • Pooled platelet: R 9 417.45 including VAT
    Platelet count ≥2.4 x 1011/unit | volume >200ml | number of donations per pool: ≥4
  • Paediatric single donor (apheresis) platelet: R 6 318.17 including VAT
    Platelet count ≥1,0 – 2,3 x 1011 /l |volume 100ml to 200ml
  • Infant single donor (apheresis) platelet: R 3 159.09 including VAT
    Platelet count 0.5 – 0.9 x 1011/l | volume 40ml to 60ml

All WCBS platelet products contain platelet additive solution (PAS), which plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal pH levels necessary for platelet functioning, as well as having the following patient benefits:

  • A lower incidence of allergic reactions due to the reduction in plasma volume (plasma cytokines and proteins are largely responsible for these adverse reactions). There has also been a suggested decline in Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) and acute haemolytic transfusion reactions with PAS-containing platelet products.
  • Improved platelet storage stability.
  • Earlier bacterial identification in contaminated platelet products has been demonstrated with the use of PAS.

For more information about platelet products, contact Dr Thembie Sitsila, Head — Medical Division (Thembie.Sitsila@wcbs.org.za) or Dr Caroline Hilton, Lead Medical Consultant (Caroline@wcbs.org.za)