First anniversary of UK-derived plasma medicines

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are today (Tuesday, 10 March) marking 1 year since the first NHS patients in a generation began receiving life-saving medicines made from the plasma of UK donors – a landmark achievement that has transformed the UK's ability to supply and secure vital treatments for thousands of people with serious and life-threatening conditions.

1 year ago, following the lifting of a longstanding ban on the use of UK plasma in 2021, NHS patients received immunoglobulin treatment made from UK-donated plasma for the first time in 25 years.

Over the year, the roll out has expanded and numbers have grown, with 3,286 patients – including around 1,500 with chronic conditions requiring long-term infusions – now receiving UK-derived immunoglobulin. Thousands of patients have also benefitted from UK plasma-derived albumin.

The UK's plasma collection programme, led by NHSBT, has now enabled more than 758,000 litres of UK plasma to be made into vital plasma-based medicines, including immunoglobulins and albumin, before bringing them back for use in NHS hospitals.

Based on figures covering the period from 1 April to 31 December 2025, the UK product accounted for approximately one-fifth of immunoglobulin volume (20%, equating to 1.1 million grams) and nearly three-quarters of albumin volumes (72%, equating to 5.2 million grams) supplied to the NHS.

This is a remarkable British success story – built from nothing, shaped by the generosity of tens of thousands of blood and plasma donors across England, and delivered through the dedication of NHS staff.

Niall's story

One of the patients now receiving UK-derived plasma medicines is Niall Whatley, 63, from Brixton in London. Niall was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2011 and has been receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions at King's College Hospital for the best part of a decade. After a stem cell transplant failed to stabilise his immune system, monthly IVIG infusions are now essential to keeping him well and out of hospital. He recently switched to receiving treatment made from UK-donated plasma.

Niall receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) Niall Whatley said: "If I didn't have the IVIG infusions every month, I would be in and out of hospital constantly – or probably even a lot worse than that."

"In a way, the plasma-derived medicines are a lifesaver for me and many other patients. If your immune system goes right down to where your body can't fight off any infections, then you're in a world of problems. If you're lucky, you'll survive – and if you're not lucky, you don't."

"Anyone that donates plasma – I want them to know that they are donating a blood component that is literally saving people's lives... You are literally helping to keep us alive through the IVIG infusions we receive."

Around 17,000 NHS patients rely on plasma-derived immunoglobulin every year, and thousands more rely on albumin. These treatments are not optional – for people living with immune deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, or those requiring albumin in surgery, trauma care or to manage liver disease, they are a lifeline. Any disruption to supply of these medicines (from global shortages, geopolitical instability or unforeseen events) can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences for patients.

Niall standing with Donna Cullen, the Deputy Chief Nurse for NHSBT This programme directly supports the government's 10 Year Health Plan ambition to build an NHS that is fit for the future and resilient to shocks – reducing the UK's dependence on imported medicines and securing domestic supply of life-critical treatments.

Significant progress has been made in a short amount of time and the UK now meets nearly one quarter (23%) of NHS patients immunoglobulin demand from domestic plasma. However, the majority of plasma medicines are still imported, primarily from the United States. To build lasting resilience, NHSBT, alongside partners, is working to expand its plasma collection footprint across England and is urgently calling for more donors to come forward.

The aim is to reach 30-35% self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin by 2031, however, achieving that goal depends on having a sustained and growing donor base. Despite the success in building the UK supply so far, demand and use have also continued to grow, meaning that plasma donation and collection need to continue to expand and build to keep up.

Statements

Statement from Gerry Gogarty

Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"1 year ago, we achieved something this country had not done in a generation – getting life-saving medicines made from UK plasma into the hands of clinicians across hospitals in the UK to treat NHS patients. The progress since then has been extraordinary.

"Over 758,000 litres of plasma collected, thousands of patients treated, and meaningful resilience built into the NHS supply chain where there was none before. But we must be honest about where we stand. At 23% self-sufficiency for immunoglobulin, we have come a long way, but we still have a significant way to go.

"The patients who rely on these medicines – people with immune deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, and other life-limiting illnesses – cannot afford gaps in supply. If imports are disrupted and our domestic supply is not sufficient to meet demand, patients have to go without the treatments they need. We want to build a consistent and steady supply, that both clinicians and patients can rely on.

"We are working on expanding our plasma collection programme, and we will continue to grow it, but the most important thing anyone can do to protect those patients is to come forward and donate either blood or plasma.

"If you donate at one of our 3 dedicated plasma centres in Birmingham, Reading or Twickenham, you are giving plasma directly and can do so up to every 2 weeks. If you give blood anywhere across England, your plasma is taken from that donation too. Every donation counts. Every donor is helping to build a more resilient NHS."

Statement from Dr Zubir Ahmed

Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, said:

"As a practising surgeon, I have seen first-hand how vital plasma-derived medicines are to patient care. In one year, more than 3,000 NHS patients have received treatments made from UK-donated plasma for the first time in a generation – and that is something we can be genuinely proud of.

"We are determined to reduce our dependence on imports and secure the treatments that patients rely on as part of our 10 Year Health Plan. We have made real progress, but there is still further to go.

"This remarkable achievement is built on the generosity of donors and delivered through the dedication of NHS staff, so if you are able to donate blood or plasma, please come forward – it only takes around an hour and it helps to save lives."

Statement from Professor Roopen Arya

Professor Roopen Arya, Clinical Director for Haematological Medicine at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"King's is one of the busiest NHS Trusts in terms of treating patients with plasma-derived medicines, and the past 12 months mark a real milestone in our care of vulnerable people with immune disorders.

"Thousands of patients with immune deficiencies and rare diseases rely on plasma for life-saving treatment, and it is also used in emergency medicine for childbirth and trauma care. We are incredibly grateful to everyone across England who has donated their plasma over this incredible first year: you have helped us save lives."

Statement from Claire Foreman

Claire Foreman, Director of Medicines Policy and Strategy at NHS England, said:

"Through the combined efforts of NHS clinical and commercial teams, and the generosity of ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing by donating, thousands of patients are now benefitting from vital medicines made from UK plasma.

"The progress that has been made in building a domestic supply of these vital treatments has been remarkable and is an invaluable asset to the NHS and to those patients who rely on immunoglobulin to help fight infection or need albumin during surgery."

How you can help

Plasma can be donated at one of 3 specialist plasma donor centres in England, located in Birmingham, Reading and Twickenham, and the process takes just over an hour.

If members of the public that wish to donate are not near one of the 3 dedicated plasma donor centres, they can still help. Every blood donation also contributes to the programme, as plasma is removed from whole blood donations given at donor centres and community venues across England. By donating blood, you are helping to produce the same life-saving plasma medicines.

To find out more, book an appointment or register as a blood or plasma donor, please visit our website, download the NHS Give Blood app or call 0300 123 23 23.