The American Plasma Users Coalition (APLUS) recognizes and applauds the recent statements from the White House that emphasize the importance of plasma and how essential plasma donors are to the healthcare system. This statement rings true for convalescent plasma that may help countless patients battling COVID-19 and is especially true for people all over the world who depend on plasma-derived therapies created from source plasma donations to live.
APLUS is a coalition of national patient organizations created to address the unique needs of patients with rare diseases who use life-saving plasma protein therapies created from source plasma. APLUS member organizations share a common desire to ensure that the patient voice is heard when relevant public policies, regulations, directives, guidelines, and recommendations affecting access to safe and effective therapy and treatment are considered. Together, our coalition represents more than 125,000 Americans living with chronic disorders dependent upon plasma protein therapies for their daily living. Safety is of utmost concern to APLUS: we believe that plasma collection regulations should always prioritize the safety of the donor and the safety of the eventual plasma user.
Source plasma is plasma that is collected from healthy, voluntary donors through a process called plasmapheresis and is used exclusively for further manufacturing into final plasma protein therapies. It is vital that U.S. maintain a constant and robust flow of source plasma collection. To treat a single patient with primary immunodeficiency (PI), 130 donations are needed per year; this number increases to 900 donations per year for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and 1200 per year for hemophilia. The U.S. collects the vast majority of plasma worldwide. Alternative sources for plasma collection on the scale needed are non-existent.
Plasma protein therapies are unique and non-interchangeable, and a lessening of plasma donations has the potential to create a significant strain on patients’ treatment plans, many of which are life-sustaining. APLUS continues to acknowledge source plasma donors as everyday heroes who help people all over the world live with complicated, rare disorders.
If you are interested in learning more about source plasma donation, please visit a plasma donation center near you – https://www.donatingplasma.org/donation/find-a-donor-center
APLUS Members
GBS|CIDP Foundation International
National Hemophilia Foundation
World Hemophilia Federation
Platelet Disorder Support Association
Hemophilia Federation of America
Alpha-1 Foundation
Patient Services, Inc.
Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Immune Deficiency Foundation
(+ others currently reviewing)
Additional Reading:
What is Convalescent Plasma?
Grifols Announces Formal Collaboration with US Government to Produce the First Treatment Specifically Targeting COVID-19
Global Plasma Leaders Collaborate to Accelerate Development of Potential COVID-19 Hyperimmune Therapy
PPTA Repeats Appeals for Plasma Donations