Plasma for medicines
Creating a world class plasma donation service
Plasma contains antibodies which fight infections.
NHS Blood and Transplant is creating a new supply of plasma to create medicines and reduce the reliance on imports.
Plasma is part of your blood. It’s rich in antibodies, which can be concentrated into immunoglobulin medicines.
These medicines save or improve the lives of around 17,000 people in England each year. They’re used to either boost immune system or calm down the immune system when it’s attacking someone’s own body.
The NHS has relied on imported plasma medicines as a Variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) safety measure for more than 20 years. Now, NHS Blood and Transplant is working with the Government and NHS England and Improvement on once again creating a donation network in England, with the manufactured medicines expected to reach patients in coming years.
You're in safe hands
- We hold a Blood Establishment Authorisation
- We are regulated by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- We are compliant with the Blood Safety and Quality regulations