How do plasma-derived products save lives?

Plasma-derived medical products (PDMPs) save lives by providing essential therapies for various medical conditions. These products, derived from donated plasma, include immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and albumin. Immunoglobulins help treat immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases, while clotting factors are crucial for managing bleeding disorders like hemophilia. Albumin is used in critical care to maintain blood volume and pressure. Companies such as Takeda, Grifols, Octapharma, Kedrion,

Plasma Derived Medicines Product Laboratory

and CSL specialize in transforming plasma into these life-saving treatments, ensuring patients receive the necessary care for conditions that otherwise lack effective therapies. Common health conditions that PDMPs treat are as follows (not an all-inclusive list):

1. Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs)

• Description: A group of disorders caused by defects in the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.

• Therapies: Immunoglobulin (IVIG)

• Website: Immune Deficiency Foundation https://primaryimmune.org

2. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

• Description: A neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.

• Therapies: Immunoglobulin (IVIG)

• Website: GBS|CIDP Foundation International https://www.gbs-cidp.org

3. Hemophilia

• Description: A genetic disorder in which blood does not clot properly due to lack of sufficient blood-clotting proteins.

• Therapies: Clotting factor concentrates

• Website: National Hemophilia Foundation https://www.hemophilia.org

4. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

• Description: A genetic condition that can cause lung disease and liver disease.

• Therapies: Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI)
  

• Website: Alpha-1 Foundation https://www.alpha1.org

5. Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

• Description: A rare genetic condition that causes severe swelling in various parts of the body.
  

• Therapies: C1 esterase inhibitor

• Website: HAE International https://www.haei.org/

6. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

• Description: A rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves.

• Therapies: Immunoglobulin (IVIG)

• Website: Guillain-Barré & CIDP Foundation International https://www.gbs-cidp.org

7. Autoimmune Diseases

• Description: Diseases where the immune system attacks the body's own cells and tissues.

• Therapies:** Immunoglobulin (IVIG)

• Website: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association https://www.aarda.org