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Plasma for Medicines programme
06 March 2025
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
At a Glance
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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