Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Plasma for Medicines programme

06 March 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care

Proposed by Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The UK has resumed using domestic donor plasma for life-saving medicines after a 25-year ban.
  • NHS Blood and Transplant has collected over 500,000 litres of plasma since April 2021.
  • Octapharma is responsible for processing the plasma into medications.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the resumption of using UK donor plasma for life-saving medicines after a 25-year ban.

Action requested

NHS Blood and Transplant has collected over 500,000 litres of plasma since April 2021, with Octapharma appointed to process it into medications. The programme aims for 80% self-sufficiency in albumin by 2031.

Key facts

  • First patients received UK-made plasma derived medicines after a ban lasting over 25 years.
  • Blood plasma medicines are critical for approximately 17,000 NHS patients.
  • The Plasma for Medicines programme was established in 2021 by the DHSC, NHSBT and NHSE.
  • Shipments of UK donor plasma began in Summer 2024.
  • Expected 25% self-sufficiency on immunoglobulin in England by the end of 2025.
  • Global plasma medicines industry expected to rise from $15bn (2023) to $45bn by 2027.
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