Potential plasma donors across Europe are generally not aware of the vital contribution that their plasma can make to society and to transforming patients’ lives. This situation, coupled with a low awareness of how plasma donation works and the difference between blood and plasma donation, are key reasons why the level of plasma donations in European countries is below their need for this blood component.

EU countries have different approaches to plasma collection. Some are part of the public system, while others take a mixed public-private approach. This section reviews current practices in four countries who have built public-private networks.

The unique value chain for these plasma-derived medicines always starts with a person’s donation of plasma. To ensure access to these lifesaving plasma-derived medicines for all patients, public health authorities need to plan for stable access to these therapies under all circumstances. Producing plasma-derived medicines takes much longer than the process to make chemically synthesized pharmaceutical medicines.

Plasma differs from whole blood. 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. Donating plasma is a lengthier, more complex process than blood donation. Plasma donors can give more frequently and larger volumes. Plasma-derived medicines treat many conditions for which no alternative medicine exist.