Significant volumes of plasma, which are needed to make the plasma-derived medicines used every day by European patients, come from outside the European Union (EU). Some 38% of the plasma used in Europe (or 30% in the EU) today for medicines production comes from the U.S. Countries have the potential to secure this critical resource for European patients by encouraging more plasma donations from their donor communities. Today, several European countries have put in place innovative approaches that show how this is possible.

An effective plasma collection program needs to build long term relationships with donor communities. This requires providing potential donors with clear information about the positive impact they are having on someone’s life by giving plasma and offering incentives that recognize the substantial commitment and inconvenience that donors make when they donate plasma. Today, 24 EU countries have schemes to cover costs incurred by plasma donors or compensate them for their effort and the inconvenience related to donating – following the principle of Voluntary Unpaid Donation.

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.

Approximately 300,000 European patients rely on plasma-derived medicines every day to treat a range of critical medical conditions. These include rare, genetic, and chronic conditions or life-threatening medical situations resulting from accidents and trauma. For these patients, plasma-derived medicines are a lifeline, helping the body replace missing or deficient proteins. Without stable access to these treatments, many will not survive or have will a severely reduced quality of life.