Challenges associated with access to plasma-derived medicinal products in low middle-income and low-income countries

Background and objectives: Plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) are essential to treat many chronic conditions such as haemophilia and primary immunodeficiency. Patients living in low middle-income and low-income countries (LMICs and LICs, respectively) have limited access to PDMPs. The aim of this article is to explore the challenges of accessing PDMPs in LMICs and LICs.

Materials and methods: A review of the literature and reports on blood safety, plasma production and its utilization to produce PDMPs in LMICs and LICs was carried out.

Results: There is huge wastage of recovered plasma in LMICs and LICs as a result of a lack of good manufacturing practice (GMP) in the production of plasma for fractionation. Together with the high cost of imported PDMP procurement, patients have limited access to such products.

Conclusion: There is a need to improve the situation by using domestically sourced plasma through the initiation of local plasma programmes through a stepwise approach to improve access to PDMPs in LMICs and LICs.