Plasma makes up 55% of human blood and includes antibodies which strengthen the immune system. The antibodies in the plasma are separated to create a medicine which treats people with life limiting illnesses such as immune deficiencies.
The first patients are now receiving the medicine made through a week’s long manufacturing process from the blood donors’ plasma which was donated over the past three years in Tyne and Wear and across England.
The most important medicine made from plasma is immunoglobulin. Nearly 800 people in the Northeast and Cumbria receive immunoglobulin each year.
Dr Susan Walsh, the Chief Executive Officer of Immunodeficiency UK, said: “This is a historic moment – patients from Tyne and Wear can now get lifesaving and life-improving immunoglobulin medicine made from the plasma of UK blood and plasma donors.”
In the last year, 399 patients received immunoglobulin at The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. And 111 patients received immunoglobulin at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Over the past three years, Tyne and Wear blood donors supplied around 15,800 litres of plasma which makes around 7,100 bottles of immunoglobulin, enough to save or improve 200 lives a year.
There is a global shortage of plasma medicines. The NHS has previously relied on imported plasma medicines, a lasting legacy of the Variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
This new supply of UK plasma medicines is set to bolster supplies to the NHS and reduce reliance on imports.
Those interested can donate blood in Tyne and Wear, which might also be used to recover plasma (around 270 millilitres of it) or donate plasma directly in specialist sites in Birmingham, London and Reading which produces between 560 millilitres and 700 millilitres.
Daniel Copper, NHSBT Assistant Director for Blood Donation Operations, said: “Thanks to our amazing blood and plasma donors in Tyne and Wear and across England, for the first time in a quarter of a century, patients are now receiving plasma medicines made from donations taken in England.
“We need more blood donors to help make more of these medicines and build UK self-sufficiency. Your donation is now helping save lives in new ways. Go to blood.co.uk to become a donor.”