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.

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.