Plasma is the liquid component of blood. It consists mainly of water (approximately 92%), in which many substances are dissolved and transported, including proteins, sugars, fats, mineral salts, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, and coagulation factors. Plasma cannot be artificially produced.
Plasma is essential in the treatment of many chronic and rare diseases. A small proportion of the plasma collected (only 10%) is intended for transfusion to patients, while the majority is used in the production of life-saving medicines: immunoglobulins, albumin, coagulation factors, antithrombin, and others. These medicines, known as plasma-derived medicinal products, are indispensable for the treatment of serious conditions such as immunodeficiencies, haemophilia, and autoimmune diseases, as well as for the management of complications related to cancer treatments and transplants, severe burns, and surgical procedures. To give a few examples, on average each year, 130 plasma donations are required to treat one person with primary immunodeficiency, while 1,200 donations are needed to produce the medicines required for one person with haemophilia.
In Italy, a large proportion of the plasma used each year to treat thousands of patients comes from the voluntary, anonymous, and unpaid donations made by more than 1.6 million blood donors. However, this is not sufficient. The remaining share of plasma-derived medicinal products, particularly immunoglobulins, must therefore be imported from abroad, creating the risk of shortages in the event of disruptions to the international market. Furthermore, demand for these medicines continues to increase, driven by scientific progress and their use in new therapeutic indications.
You can donate plasma through a standard whole blood donation, after which the blood is separated into its different components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. It is also possible to donate plasma only, through a procedure known as plasmapheresis, which separates the plasma and returns the red blood cells and platelets to the donor during the same donation session. This procedure takes slightly longer — around 45 minutes compared with the 15–20 minutes required for a standard donation — but it allows a greater volume of plasma to be collected (approximately 600 ml) and enables a quicker recovery, meaning that plasma can be donated as often as every two weeks.
Donated plasma undergoes the same rigorous testing as other blood components in order to ensure its safety and quality for transfusion use. In addition, plasma intended for the production of medicinal products is subject to further testing by both pharmaceutical companies authorised to manufacture plasma-derived medicinal products and the official Official Medicines Control Laboratories, in accordance with internationally recognised standards.
Plasma obtained from both whole blood donations and apheresis procedures must be frozen within specified time limits (no later than 24 hours after collection) at temperatures below −25°C in order to preserve coagulation factors. Frozen plasma may then be stored at a temperature of at least −25°C for up to 24 months. Plasma intended for the industrial production of plasma-derived medicinal products is placed in quarantine pending the results of all infectious disease testing and the final validation of the units before they are released for manufacturing.
Blood and all blood components, including plasma, are a public resource protected by law. Plasma collected through the work of Blood establishments and donor associations is cryopreserved and sent to pharmaceutical companies contracted by the Regions and Autonomous Provinces for industrial processing. The companies process the plasma on a contract manufacturing basis and return the resulting plasma-derived medicinal products to the regional healthcare facilities. Treatments based on plasma-derived medicinal products are then provided free of charge to patients by the National Health Service.
The eligibility criteria for plasma donation are the same as those for whole blood donation: donors must be at least 18 years of age, weigh no less than 50 kg, and be in good general health, among other requirements. Donation takes place following a medical consultation, during which a doctor assesses the donor’s overall health and specific parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and haemoglobin levels. As with whole blood donation, employed donors are entitled to paid leave from work.
Whole blood can be donated every three months: men may donate up to four times per year, while women of childbearing age are permitted two donations per year. Plasma donation can take place much more frequently: the interval between two plasma donations is 14 days, and the interval between a whole blood donation and a plasma donation is 30 days. It is therefore possible to alternate between plasma and whole blood donations in agreement with healthcare professionals. Immediately after donation, the body begins to regenerate the plasma collected, which is restored within a few hours. Drinking water before and after donation helps to replenish the fluids lost more quickly.
Blood establishments and donor association collection units where plasma donation via plasmapheresis is available are numerous and located throughout the country. Here you can find your nearest facility and book your donation appointment.
