Due to the escalating demand and use of IVIg, and in light of new knowledge and evidence about the effectiveness, costs and risks of IVIg in clinical care, the National Blood Authority (NBA) undertook a review of the National Guidelines for IVIg use.

The purpose of the review was to develop evidence-based guidelines to support the cost effective use of IVIg in Australia. The guidelines assist government, Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) and clinicians in managing and ensuring appropriate use of IVIg in Australia.

As part of that review, AHA was engaged to review the cost effectiveness of IVIg use in Australia and undertake cost effectiveness analyses of selected clinical uses. The results were used to inform guideline development. Specifically, the project involved:
•Identifying and critically appraising the literature about the cost effectiveness of different treatments with IVIg in Australia;
•Undertaking a detailed cost effectiveness analysis of a range of different treatments using IVIg.
This includes treatments that:
•Are clinically proven and for which there are equally clinically proven alternative treatments
•Have been experiencing rapid expansion in clinical use in Australia, but for which clinical evidence is minimal.