Plasma-derived medicines vital for 1 million European patients amid supply challenges

Medicines derived from human plasma are not merely a treatment option but a necessity for survival for approximately 1 million patients across Europe. These individuals suffer from rare and chronic conditions such as primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, hemophilia, hereditary angioedema, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Kawasaki disease, all requiring consistent treatment with plasma-derived products.

The growing demand for these vital therapies presents a significant challenge for European healthcare systems. Ensuring an adequate supply of plasma is paramount to guarantee that no patient is deprived of the treatment they need. Plasma, the liquid part of blood, contains essential proteins and antibodies and is the sole source for Plasma Derived Medicinal Products (PDMPs), a class of drugs used for decades to manage severe illnesses.

Unlike many other pharmaceuticals, plasma cannot be synthesized in a lab; its only source is donations from healthy individuals. This direct link means that the availability of these life-saving medicines is entirely dependent on the willingness of citizens to donate plasma and the subsequent supply. The need is constant, as patients often require these treatments for their entire lives, with each patient needing contributions from a large number of donors annually.

Experts attribute the steady rise in demand for plasma-derived medicines to improved diagnosis of rare diseases, expanded therapeutic indications, and broader applications. These products are also crucial in supportive care for cancer patients, in transplant management, for severe burn and trauma victims, and for individuals with hepatitis, HIV, and various autoimmune disorders. The annual increase in demand for immunoglobulins, for instance, is around 6.7%, further straining the global supply chain.