NHS patients around the country are now receiving a lifesaving medicine made from the plasma of blood donors in Worcestershire.
This historic milestone marks the first time in a quarter of a century plasma is being used to make life-saving medicines for NHS patients, reducing the nation’s reliance on imports.
Plasma makes up 55 per cent of our blood and contains antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the immune system.
The antibodies are separated out and made into medicines, reliant on human blood for development, which treat people with life limiting illnesses such as immune deficiencies.
Over the past three years, plasma from blood donors in Worcestershire and across England has been stored up and made into medicines through a weeks long manufacturing process.
Across the county, hundreds of people travel to Birmingham or Bristol for immunoglobulin treatment each year, with around 17,000 people reliant on it annually across England.
Thousands more are reliant on albumin, another plasma medicine used in childbirth, trauma and for liver conditions.
During this new three-year plasma collection process, donors in Worcestershire have supplied around 5,800 litres of plasma to help combat the global shortage locally.
That is enough to make around 2,600 bottles of immunoglobulin, which can save or improve around 70 lives a year.
Daniel Cooper, NHSBT assistant director for blood donation operations, said: “Thanks to our amazing donors in Worcestershire.
“We need more to help make these medicines and build UK self-sufficiency. Your donation is now helping save lives in new ways.”
The NHS has previously relied solely on imported plasma medicines however supplies are now bolstered local donors.
There are two ways to give plasma. Every time you give blood in Worcestershire, your plasma may be used. Or you can donate plasma at three specialist sites in Birmingham, London and Reading.
A recovered plasma donation collects around 270 millilitres of plasma, whereas a plasma donation can provide between 560 millilitres and 700 millilitres.
Dr Susan Walsh, CEO of Immunodeficiency UK, said: “This is an historic moment. We urge people in Worcestershire to try blood donation.”
Visit blood.co.uk to become a donor.
