First NHS patients now receiving medicine made from the blood plasma of Northumberland blood donors
NHS patients around the country are now receiving a lifesaving medicine made from the plasma of blood donors in Northumberland.
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 Northumberland 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 now receiving the medicines.
The most important medicine is immunoglobulin. Across Northumberland, more than 100 people receive immunoglobulin each year, many travelling to specialist units in Tyne and Wear.
Over the past three years, blood donors in Northumberland have supplied around several thousand litres of plasma, which is enough to save or improve around dozens of 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 Northumberland, 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.
Bob Bell, from near Hexham in Northumberland, welcomed the news because he receives immunoglobulin for a secondary immunodeficiency, enabling him to stay well enough to cycle thousands of miles age 80.
Bob’s immune system damaged by chemotherapy received for lymphoma.
He can’t make enough antibodies to fight off infections himself, so instead receives intravenous infusions of immunoglobulin every six weeks at Hexham General Hospital.
Bob took up cycling to stay fit after his initial chemotherapy treatment and thanks to the ongoing immunoglobulin treatment he’s stayed fit enough to have cycled 6,000km in 2024, including a 100km ride.
He was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010 and started treatment with chemotherapy in 2011, followed by maintenance chemotherapy for a further two years. He then had two years of serious infections over winter, due to his permanently weakened immune system, so doctors started him on immunoglobulin in 2016.
Bob, a retired deputy vice chancellor of the University of Sunderland, who specialised in computing, said: “I had a couple of bad winters while I was almost perpetually in bed. I was just wiped out, with permanent weakness and constant throat and chest infections.
“Immunoglobulin has made a massive difference. Now over winter, nothing happens at all. I have a normal or even better level of protection. It has transformed my winters really, whereas before I spent three months not being able to do anything at all.
“Now I can stay pretty fit. I do a lot of cycling and gym work. I’ve just finished 6000km for the year, the majority on the road with some training indoors. It’s slightly lower than in other years, but that because of a wet start to the year.
He added: “I think it’s great that we can get immunoglobulin from local blood donors here in Northumberland.
“Anything that improves the availability and flow of that treatment is a very good improvement. People who donate are just transforming my life. Full credit for what they provide.”
Bob has a wife, two grown up children from a pervious marriage and four grandchildren.
Daniel Cooper, NHSBT Assistant Director for Blood Donation Operations, said: “Thanks to our amazing blood and plasma donors in Northumberland 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 Northumberland 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 Northumberland 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.”