Important for medication
Blood plasma in Germany is becoming scarce
November 3, 2024 – 9:51 a.mReading time: 4 min.
Blood plasma is of great importance for medicines and operations. But the willingness to donate is decreasing, especially among young people.
From immune deficiency to hemophilia to cancer – many thousands of chronically ill people in Germany rely on medications made from blood plasma. But plasma is also needed after accidents or during operations. According to the German Red Cross (DRK), there is a major shortage worldwide.
In private donor centers, donors receive an expense allowance. Experts believe this is justified. But no one wants to motivate people to donate with money. There are good reasons for this.
Plasma is the liquid component of blood. It consists of 90 percent water and takes on vital tasks as a transport and storage medium in the body. In contrast to normal blood donation, when donating plasma, a special device breaks the blood down into components. Unused components (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets) are returned to the donor – only the plasma, a yellowish liquid, is removed. Depending on body weight, this is between 650 and 850 milliliters, according to the DRK.
Plasma is of great importance for medications for chronic diseases, immune deficiencies or certain autoimmune diseases. It is not only used to treat the so-called hemophilia or for rhesus prophylaxis, explains Professor Richard Schäfer, medical director of transfusion medicine at the Freiburg University Hospital. Plasma is also used in hospitals for many procedures to maintain blood pressure in the event of severe blood loss or burns.
“Almost every person needs medication that is made from blood plasma in their life,” says the Stuttgart Clinic. Patients rely on plasma donations for lengthy chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. But donations are also needed in cardiac and trauma surgery or orthopedics.
Blood and blood products are indispensable in medical care. But only 3.5 percent of the adult population in Germany donates blood regularly, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). But around a third could do that in principle. The plasma collected during whole blood donation cannot meet the necessary needs. According to DRK spokesman Patric Nohe, plasma donors are also urgently needed. But there are still too few of them.
The aging population is causing additional concern for the blood working group at the Federal Ministry of Health. 55 percent of regular whole blood donors are over 45 years old. In addition, the proportion of first-time donors has fallen over the past ten years, especially among young adults. “This poses particular challenges for the stable supply of blood and blood products in the future,” said the experts.
Blood and plasma are obtained through DRK donation services, in clinics and from private services. An important mainstay for plasma are companies like CSL, which opened the 15th Plasma Center in Germany in Karlsruhe in mid-October. According to the ministry, there are currently four companies in Baden-Württemberg alone that process blood plasma. The care structure has proven itself, according to clinics and the DRK.
Blood donation services alone cannot meet the global demand for plasma. The plasma collected from around 35,000 blood donations every year at the Stuttgart Clinic is mostly used to care for our own patients. That is why additional private plasma centers are necessary.
According to CSL Plasma, a patient with immunodeficiency alone needs around 130 plasma donations per year, and a hemophilia patient needs 1,200. According to the company’s estimates, around 20,000 chronically ill people in Germany rely on medications made from blood plasma. The need is constantly increasing.
At the Karlsruhe Municipal Hospital alone, around ten to 20 patients are treated every day with drugs derived from plasma. “There is currently a major global shortage of plasma, so every drop is a help for sick patients in Germany and around the world,” says Nohe from the DRK blood donation service.
According to the Transfusion Act, donations should be taken “free of charge”. Compensation can still be granted – depending on the effort and type of donation. Donors receive travel expenses at the Stuttgart Clinic and a small meal at the DRK. Because a plasma donation takes longer, there is an expense allowance. At CSL this is 24 euros for a delivery quantity of 750 milliliters.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Expert on Blood Plasma Donation Shortages
Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today, Professor Richard Schäfer, the medical director of transfusion medicine at Freiburg University Hospital. With the current crisis surrounding blood plasma donation in Germany, this is a very timely discussion. To start, could you explain why blood plasma is so vital for medical treatments?
Professor Schäfer: Good morning! Certainly. Blood plasma plays a crucial role in the medical field. It consists of about 90% water and serves as the transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body. Plasma is indispensable in treating a variety of conditions—everything from immune deficiencies to hemophilia and even certain types of cancer. After severe blood loss from accidents or surgeries, plasma is critical for maintaining blood pressure and stabilizing patients.
Editor: That emphasizes just how essential plasma is for patient care. However, I understand there’s been a significant drop in the willingness among young people to donate. What do you think is driving this trend?
Professor Schäfer: Yes, unfortunately, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in donations, especially among younger demographics. There could be multiple factors at play here. For one, many young people may not fully understand the critical importance of plasma donations. Also, with social media and diverse lifestyle choices, donating blood and plasma may not be prioritized or viewed as relevant. Furthermore, there’s an overarching perception of blood donation as a cumbersome process, which can deter potential donors.
Editor: It’s interesting you mention perception. Some private donor centers offer financial incentives to encourage donations, but there are concerns about this approach. Why is that?
Professor Schäfer: That’s a good point. While expense allowances may seem like a good idea to boost donation rates, the ethics surrounding the commodification of blood and plasma are concerning. We want to foster a culture of altruism and community rather than turning donation into a transactional process. The idea is to motivate people through education about the impact of their contributions, rather than monetary rewards.
Editor: Speaking of education, it seems alarming that only 3.5% of the adult population in Germany donates blood regularly. What strategies can be implemented to raise awareness and increase these numbers?
Professor Schäfer: Completely agree. We need a multi-faceted approach—schools and universities can play a pivotal role by integrating blood donation education into their curriculums. Social media campaigns can highlight real stories of patients whose lives have been saved by plasma donations, making the cause more relatable. We can also establish partnerships with organizations and influencers who resonate with the younger audience to amplify our message.
Editor: And what about the aging donor population? With 55% of regular whole blood donors over the age of 45, how are we planning for the future?
Professor Schäfer: This aging donor trend is definitely concerning and requires urgent action. We need to specifically target younger donors while encouraging current donors to continue giving as long as they can. Creating engaging, community-driven donation events might attract younger individuals. Also, alongside hospitals, expanding private plasma centers can help ease the pressure on blood donation services.
Editor: You’ve highlighted a crucial need for more centers. With companies like CSL establishing new plasma centers, how essential are these facilities in addressing the growing demands?
Professor Schäfer: These centers are incredibly important. Private plasma centers help secure a steady supply of plasma to meet both national and global needs. While our current blood donation efforts are commendable, we must recognize that they can’t meet the ever-increasing demand alone. Expanding facilities ensures that we can provide necessary treatments for patients in need.
Editor: It’s clear that the challenge is multifaceted, requiring a concerted effort from all sectors of society. Thank you, Professor Schäfer, for shedding light on the importance of blood plasma donation and the ongoing efforts to tackle its shortages. We hope your insights encourage more people to consider becoming donors.
Professor Schäfer: Thank you for having me. The conversation about plasma donation is vital, and together, we can make significant strides in ensuring a reliable supply for those who depend on it.