The plasma for medicines programme
In February 2021, the Government lifted a decades old ban on using plasma from UK donors for immunoglobulin medicines, following a review by the independent experts of the Commission on Human Medicines. In June 2023, a similar ban on using UK plasma for albumin medicine was also lifted.
The ban was introduced in 1998 in response to concerns over the spread of a human variant of BSE, known as ‘mad cow’s disease’, called Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease. The UK had to rely on imports of these medicines.
Due to a large rise in global demand for immunoglobulins and albumin, both plasma and these treatments have experienced ongoing pressures on supply in the UK and around the world.
Now the ban has been lifted, plasma from UK donors can again be used to manufacture life-saving immunoglobulin and albumin medicines for NHS patients, reducing the reliance on imports.
The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), and NHS England and Improvement, are now working together on an ambition to create a long-term domestic supply of plasma in England.
To create the supply of immunoglobulins and albumin, NHSBT is collecting plasma donations and also recovering plasma from whole blood donations.
Three plasma donor centres are taking donations, with plans to expand the number in the future. They are in Reading, Twickenham, and Birmingham. NHSBT is also now recovering plasma for medicines from blood donations across the country.
Octapharma have been appointed to turn our UK plasma into medicines. The first of this medicine was given to UK patients in March 2025.
NHSBT’s aim is to deliver a world-class plasma service to support UK patients. Until recently we have relied on imports of plasma medicines, but the volatility of global supply chains has added uncertainty to the availability of these medicines. Building our own supply will reduce these risks and reduce costs associated with importing plasma medicine.
Our history with Plasma Resources UK
Some confusion exists about plasma donations being used for profit. We do not sell your plasma or pay people to donate, and the donation process is not privatised or run for profit.
Between 1998 and 2021, plasma from UK donors could not be made into immunoglobulin as a precaution against the possible risks of vCJD. Between 1998 and 2023, UK plasma also could not be fractionated for use in albumin, for the same reason.
From 2021, the UK Government created a company called Plasma Resources UK (PRUK). PRUK imported plasma from the USA and manufactured fractionated plasma medicines for NHS patients.
It had a branch in the USA and the Bio Products Lab in England.
In 2013, 80% of this company was sold to a company called Bain Capital.
It has been wrongly suggested that the whole of the UK plasma supply has now been sold for commercial gain.
NHS Blood and Transplant has continued to collect plasma for profit-free treatment via blood components. Since 2021, NHSBT has also restarted collecting plasma for profit-free treatment via immunoglobulin, a medicine made from plasma.
Does anyone sell plasma?
In some other countries, plasma derived medicinal products are made from plasma donated by donors who are paid. These medicines can be imported to the UK.
It’s illegal to pay blood and plasma donors in the UK.
Does NHS Blood and Transplant sell plasma for profit?
No, NHS Blood and Transplant does not sell plasma for profit.
NHS organisations charge each other for the cost of services, on a cost recovery basis. For example, an NHS commissioning group might give an NHS hospital a fixed sum of money for a hip operation.
In the same way, NHS Blood and Transplant receives money for each unit of red cells, platelets and plasma that it supplies to hospitals. This money covers NHS Blood and Transplant’s costs.
Is NHS plasma donation privatised?
NHS plasma donation is not privatised. NHS Blood and Transplant is an NHS organisation. It is a Special Health Authority, reporting into the Department of Health and Social Care.
How can I help?
If you see people suggesting that ‘NHS blood donation has been privatised’ or similar claims please direct them to this page.
The confusion could put people off donating and we need people to keep donating and saving lives.
Supporting documents and useful links
