Plasma is a key element of blood (55% of the total blood volume). Plasma is the clear straw-coloured liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components have been removed. Plasma carries water, salts, and proteins through the body.
More and more patients across the European Union are diagnosed every year with life-threatening plasma protein-related disorders.[1] This means certain proteins in their body are missing or are deficient. In many cases, plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) are the only treatment option for these severe diseases.
Patients across Europe rely on plasma-derived medicinal products (to treat a variety of rare and chronic and/or genetic diseases and serious, often life-threatening medical conditions).
For individuals with these conditions, plasma-derived medicinal products replace their missing or deficient proteins.
Without these treatments, many patients would either not be able to survive or would have a substantially diminished quality of life and productivity.
The pictures and quotes from patients, policymakers, health care professionals and generous plasma donors are the result of the virtual exhibition that took place between 25 January and 28 February 2021.
In Europe, 40% of plasma is collected by public and NGO blood-collection services (mainly via recovered plasma)
30% is collected through plasmapheresis by the private sector in Europe
For the remaining need of 30%, Europe is reliant on imported plasma collected in the United States
Plasma donations were in some decline this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the related uncertainty felt by plasma donors. This comes on top of the existing insufficient availability of European plasma. Declines in donations have the potential to restrict patients’ access to plasma derived therapies. We need your support!
It’s easier than you think. #DonatePlasma. The good news is it’s in us all to save a life.
If you consider more plasma should be collected across Europe, to meet the growing need of patients for PDMPs
If you want to ask policymakers to put in place the most appropriate EU or national policy frameworks leading to significantly increased plasma collection in Europe
[1] Immune deficiencies, immune-mediated peripheral neuropathies, hereditary angioedema, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiencies, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, and also secondary immune deficiencies that can be caused by cancer therapies.
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