PPTA urges decisive action in Europe to increase plasma donations
Shortfalls in donations due to COVID-19 could threaten patient access
Brussels, (October 6, 2020) — International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) takes on particular urgency this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional pressure on the delicate balance between plasma collection and the availability of finished therapies. Considering the complex manufacturing of plasma-derived therapies can take 7-12 months, any decline in plasma donation could impact European patients’ ability to access their lifesaving therapies.
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) is using the eighth annual IPAW to highlight the critical need for plasma donations, now. PPTA calls on policymakers and regulators throughout Europe to take decisive action by introducing and changing policies that facilitate opportunities for healthy adults to donate their plasma.
Plasma — the straw-colored, liquid portion of blood — contains proteins necessary for carrying out critical functions in the human body, such as antibodies to fight diseases and clotting factors to regulate bleeding. If a person has insufficient levels of any one plasma protein, his/her body cannot carry out these vital functions, causing a variety of chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.
“During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the world has come to understand the importance of plasma as a life-saving material,” said Maarten Van Baelen, Executive Director PPTA Europe. “The pandemic has highlighted the need to collect more plasma in Europe. Plasma donors already know this, but now it is up to policymakers to remove barriers that limit opportunities for committed and healthy adults to donate their plasma. We encourage everyone to support our campaign to collect more plasma in Europe by visiting www.ItsInUsAllToSaveALife.org. It’s in us all to save a life!”
Plasma donations have always been essential and necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges unlike any other the world has experienced in more than 100 years, but PPTA remains steadfastly committed to its mission to promote the availability of — and access to — safe and effective plasma protein therapies for all patients, no matter where they are around the world.
Source: Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association
