Singapore's blood supply is still safe, says a statement from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
The cause for concern came when the HSA was notified by Chiron Limited, that it was recalling some batches of reagents for the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) that it had supplied to the country.
The NAT is one of the tests routinely used by the Blood Services Group (BSG) to detect the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and the Hepatitis B Virus in human blood.
The precautionary recall was initiated when Chiron became aware that the reagents were stored in sub-optimal conditions in its outsourced warehouse in Singapore.
According to a media statement, the reagents' exposure to fluctuating temperatures in an affected freezer has shortened their expiry date.
Typically, the reagents have shelf-life of 30 days upon thawing.
However, according to the supplier, the affected reagents were only effective up to the twelfth day post-thaw.
It is still trying to determine the stability of the reagents past the twelfth day.
BSG's own investigations into the recalled batches confirmed that 99 per cent of donations were tested with reagents that fall within the acceptable 12-day storage period identified by Chiron.
The remaining one per cent was tested with reagents used within 22 days.
In Singapore, all collected blood units are also tested for the three viruses through the Immuno Assay test. It is an internationally recognised test standard and mandatory for all reputable blood service organisations.
The NAT, while useful, is not mandatory internationally. However, the Blood Services Group (BSG) of the HSA applies it to provide an additional safeguard to detect the three viruses.
All donated blood also undergo stringent quality checks, said a spokesperson from the BSG, adding that quality control readings during the affected period did not show any deviation from normal expected results.
