First NHS patients now receiving medicine made from the blood plasma of Staffordshire blood donors

From last Thursday, NHS patients around the country are receiving a lifesaving medicine made from the plasma of blood donors in Staffordshire.

This historic milestone marks the first time in a quarter of a century plasma is being used to make life-saving medicines for NHS patients, reducing reliance on imports.

These lifesaving medicines can only be made from human blood. Plasma makes up 55 per cent of our blood and contains antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the immune system.

The antibodies are separated out and made into medicines which treat people with life limiting illnesses such as immune deficiencies.

Over the past three years, plasma from blood donors in Staffordshire and across England has been stored up, and it has now been made into medicines through a weeks long manufacturing process. The first patients are receiving the medicines from today.

The most important medicine is immunoglobulin. Across Staffordshire, hundreds of people receive immunoglobulin each year. In the last reported year, 148 patients received immunoglobulin at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Over the past three years, blood donors in Staffordshire have supplied thousands litres of plasma, including 2,400 litres from the Stoke Donor Centre – enough to make around 1000 bottles of immunoglobulin, which is enough to save or improve around 30 lives a year.

In England, around 17,000 people rely on immunoglobulin to save or improve their lives each year. And thousands of patients rely on albumin – another plasma medicine – which is used in childbirth, trauma, and to treat liver conditions.

The news is important because there is a global shortage of plasma medicines. The NHS has previously relied solely on imported plasma medicines as a lasting legacy of Variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.

The new supply of UK plasma medicines will bolster supplies to the NHS. It will reduce reliance on imports, which can be hit by reductions in supply and prices spikes.

There are two ways that you can give plasma. Every time you give blood in Staffordshire, your plasma may be used too. Or you can donate plasma at three specialist sites in Birmingham, London and Reading.

A recovered plasma donation gives us around 270 millilitres of plasma, whereas a plasma donation can give us between 560 millilitres and 700 millilitres.

Joe Keary, a patient at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital receiving plasma

NHS Blood and Transplant

Lisa Powers, 51, from Wilnecote near Tamworth in Staffordshire, welcomed the news because her dad received immunoglobulin for a life-threatening disease.

Lisa, an inventory clerk, went on to donate blood and plasma herself.

“I know firsthand how important these medicine help save lives. It’s a relief to know we’re now making it from local blood donations too,” said Lisa.

“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.”

Her dad Michael received immunoglobulin for Guillain-Barré syndrome.

It’s an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself.

The treatment helps stabilise the immune system and reduce the attacks.

Lisa said: “He was very poorly, he couldn’t move without being in agony and was quickly hospitalised.

“The immunoglobulin allowed him to make a full recovery.

“He was back to his old self, he was able to enjoy life again in full again.

“Having plasma medication allowed him to walk me down the aisle when i married my husband Andy, he was a devoted Grandad and was able to spend lots of time with Chloe and Scott.

“He sadly died of Cancer in October 2021.”

She added: “I’d say to people thinking about donating – just do it, please.

“If you can just help one person’s life, it’s worth it.

“You can save a life with your feet up, having a drink and a snack, whilst playing on your phone!”

Daniel Cooper, NHSBT Assistant Director for Blood Donation Operations, said: “Thanks to our amazing blood and plasma donors in Staffordshire 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. Go to blood.co.uk to become a donor.”

Dr Susan Walsh, the Chief Executive Officer of Immunodeficiency UK, said: “This is a historic moment – patients from Staffordshire 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 Staffordshire 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 needs more blood donors. Go to www.blood.co.uk to become a donor.