October 8, 2024
New Mini Documentaries for Plasma Awareness Week
Each October, the primary immunodeficiency (PID) community comes together to highlight the importance of plasma collection during International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW, October 7-11, 2024). IPOPI is actively involved in this campaign, advocating for increased and more regionally balanced plasma collection.
“Your plasma, our lives”: In celebration of IPAW 2024, we are pleased to unveil two mini-documentaries that highlight the importance of plasma for the development of essential medicines as immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapies and the challenges in plasma collection and access for patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
Turning Plasma into life-saving treatments
The first documentary explores plasma’s journey from collection to production focusing on its role in immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapies. Through this lens, we highlight the critical need to expand global plasma collection to address the growing demand for plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs). The mini-film features insights from both patients and donors, showing the importance of plasma in their lives. It also highlights the crucial role of national regulatory agencies in ensuring that PDMPs meet the necessary safety, efficacy, and quality standards before making them available to patients.
Immunoglobulins: Essential medicines to treat immunodeficiencies
The second one highlights immunoglobulins (Ig) as essential medicines for patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). We hear from doctors, the mother of a PID patient, and regulatory experts, all emphasising the importance of Ig therapies for patient well-being. As Martine Pergent (IPOPI President) points out “Over the past years, we have witnessed an increased number of counterfeit immunoglobulins popping out in several countries. Another concern is immunoglobulin therapies that have not been scrutinised by a regulatory agency in charge of checking their safety, efficacy and quality.” In an effort to combat these challenges, IPOPI has been working on raising awareness and supporting national PID patient groups in their efforts to get regulated immunoglobulins.
This documentary serves as an invaluable resource for patients, member organisations, policymakers, and healthcare professionals.
The development of these IPOPI mini-documentaries was supported by an unrestricted grant from CSL Behring.
