The National Hemophilia Foundation’s (NHF's) Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) issued the following new documents, which were adopted by NHF’s Board of Directors in September 2014:

MASAC Document #229 - MASAC Resolution Regarding Consumer Participation in the National Patient Notification System (PNS).

Due to low PNS enrollment numbers, the council reiterates the system’s importance as a crucial tool by which patients and caregivers are alerted about problems related to plasma-derived and recombinant factor products. MASAC therefore recommends that a renewed effort be made to boost consumer enrollment with the help of the comprehensive care team at hemophilia treatment centers.

MASAC Document #230 - MASAC Recommendations Concerning Products Licensed for the Treatment of Hemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders. This recurring document encompasses the council’s most recent series of treatment recommendations, including information on currently available therapies indicated for a number of bleeding disorders including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and rare factor deficiencies.

MASAC Document #231 - MASAC Recommendation Regarding the Need for Updated Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of von Willebrand Disease (VWD). Here the council acknowledges the importance of maintaining current, comprehensive and clinically relevant VWD guidelines. To accomplish this, MASAC recommends that NHF convene a workshop to assess the needs of physicians, scientists and patients, and then generate a revised and enhanced set of guidelines.

Click here to view the complete list of current MASAC documents. To request a hard copy of any current documents, please contact HANDI, NHF’s information resource center: handi@hemophilia.org. or 1.800.424.2634.