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NHS patients are now receiving medicine made from the plasma of blood donors in Manchester. This marks the first time in 25 years that plasma has been used to create medicines for NHS patients, reducing the need for imports. The life-saving medicines treat people with immune deficiencies and other serious illnesses.
Over the past three years, plasma from blood donors in Manchester and across England has been stored and transformed into medicines through a lengthy manufacturing process. The most crucial of these medicines is immunoglobulin, which is received by more than 1,000 people in Greater Manchester and Salford each year. Blood donors in Manchester have contributed around 23,200 litres of plasma over the past three years, enough to make around 10,500 bottles of immunoglobulin.
This is sufficient to save or improve the lives of around 300 people each year. Immunoglobulin infusion (Image: Mark Harvey) The new supply of UK plasma medicines can improve NHS supplies and reduce reliance on imports, which can be affected by supply reductions and price spikes. Daniel Cooper, NHSBT assistant director for blood donation operations, said: "Thanks to our amazing blood and plasma donors in Manchester and across England, for the first time in a quarter of a century, patients are now receiving plasma medicines made from donations taken in England.
"We need more blood donors to help make more of these medicines and build UK self-sufficiency. "Your donation is now helping save lives in new ways." Danielle Morley, 40, from Radcliffe, has benefited from plasma medicine.
She said: "I know firsthand how important these medicines are in helping save lives. "It’s a relief to know we’re now making it from local blood donations too. "I am so grateful to everyone who donates blood.
"You are not just helping people with your red blood cells – now the plasma in your blood donation is helping people too." NHSBT Blood Donation sign (Image: Supplied) Dr Susan Walsh, the chief executive officer of Immunodeficiency UK, said: "This is a historic moment – patients from Manchester can now get lifesaving and life-improving immunoglobulin medicine made from the plasma of UK blood and plasma donors. "Immunoglobulins recognise dangerous micro-organisms and help the immune cells to neutralise them.
"It’s a vital treatment for people with immune disorders. "We urge people in Manchester to try blood donation. "Your red blood cells will be used as normal.
"But now the blood plasma can also help vulnerable people with immune disorders." The NHS is encouraging more people to become blood donors. Visit www.
blood.co.uk to register as a donor.
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