The current plasma collection capacity of several countries will be soon unable to afford the growing need of immunoglobulin (IG) therapies. United States (US) of America, are currently generating two thirds of the worldwide supply of plasma for fractionation. Reduced availability of IG occur whenever the demand for the product outstrips the supply. Currently the reduced availability of IG may hamper the accurate treatment of patients and determine high costs for the healthcare systems. Currently in Italy blood donation is voluntary, thus based on solidarity as an ethical principle. In the last two years, collection for fractionation has increased by 3.8% per annum, however during the same period, IG consuption has increased by 8.5/per annum, to 89.2 g IG/103 population.
Reference:
Farrugia A, Grazzini G, Quinti I, Candura F, Profili S, Liumbruno GM. The growing importance of achieving national self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin in Italy. The emergence of a national imperative.Blood Transfus. 2019 Nov;17(6):449-458. doi: 10.2450/2019.0265-19. Epub 2019 Dec 11.